Hero by Heart

Chapter 45

When Zelda opened her eyes she found herself in her old study, completely back to its former glory.
There were books lining the shelves along the walls, and scrolls and drawings lying around on all surfaces. Notebooks with tiny scribbles in them were scattered over the desk and everywhere boxes were stacked, filled with ancient parts.
Through a window high in the wall a beam of sunlight shone in, dust dancing and glistening in it.
A soft breeze made Zelda's hair wave, carrying the smell of fresh grass and flowers, the scent of spring.
'Little bird,' a soft voice suddenly sounded behind her, making her gasp and instantly bringing tears to her eyes.
There was only one person who always used to call her that, but that was impossible.
Zelda held her breath, as she tried to control her emotions, unable to turn around.
There was a sigh, sounding sad and defeated.
'My little bird,' the voice repeated, and as the tears started to fall from her eyes, Zelda let her breath escape in a sob. She fell to her knees and hid her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
A soft hand landed on her shoulder and Zelda looked up, peering through her watery eyelashes and between her fingers, only to find a tall woman with long, fiery red hair, emerald green eyes and a strong nose. She had the muscular build of a fierce warrior, and the expression of one, although it was now softened into a loving smile.
It couldn't be her, Zelda reminded herself, but yet she was right there, looking exactly as she did the last time the princess had seen her.
With another violent sob she threw herself forward, into the arms of the woman.
She clung to her with her fingers digging into her back, feeling the soft skin and muscles underneath. Pieces of her armour stuck into her palms, but she didn't care, clinging to the warm body as a lifeline.
She was really there, flesh and blood.
'Urbosa,' she whispered.

'I missed you too, my dearest Zelda,' the Gerudo whispered in her hair, pressing her even tighter against her chest.
'How...' Zelda stammered. 'How are you here?' She gently pulled back to look up at the face that was so familiar to her.
'You are... I mean... It can't be. You were...' She stammered, unable to voice any coherent thoughts as she took in the feeling of her beloved friend.
'Dead?' Urbosa softly finished for her. She chuckled, although it lacked any joy. 'I am, my little bird.'
Zelda frowned, trying to figure out what was happening.
She dug in her memories, searching for an explanation, when she suddenly remembered. The fight.
'Am I... dead?' She whispered, hardly audible.
Urbosa shook her head, a loving smile on her lips. 'No, Zelda. You are not dead. But you are only barely holding on.'
The Gerudo gently stroked her hair. 'You have to fight, little bird.'
Zelda looked at her through the tears in her eyes, unable to comprehend any of it.
'You have to find your way back, Zelda,' Urbosa said, more urgently this time. 'The kingdom needs you. Your friends need you.'
She smiled down on her sadly, but with unmistakable pride in her eyes.
'But I need you,' Zelda sobbed, pressing herself closer against the woman that she considered like a second mother.
'I will be there,' Urbosa responded, gently grabbing her hands. 'I have never left you.'
Zelda shook her head, tears still streaming down her face.
'Link needs you,' the Gerudo then said, looking her straight in the eyes.
'Y...you know,' Zelda muttered in surprise, feeling relieved despite it all.
'Of course I do,' Urbosa said. 'I told you, I have never left.'
Zelda suddenly burst out crying all over again, this time out of sheer relief. She had so often wished that she could tell Urbosa about him, about their relationship and how the knight made her feel. She needed her to know, and finding out that she did was more than she could take.
The Gerudo Chief gently stroked her back as she held her tightly, whispering soothing words and just letting it all happen.
'It was just a matter of time, little bird,' she eventually said. 'I could always see the chemistry between you both.'
'But there is so much that I still want to tell you,' Zelda whispered, fighting to control her emotions.
'I know,' Urbosa sighed, gently stroking her cheek with a loving smile. 'But there is no time.'
Zelda looked up at her sadly, feeling like she was losing the woman all over again.
'The kingdom needs their leader, now more than ever.'
Zelda frowned. 'What do you mean?'
Urbosa sighed. 'Link will tell you that.' She firmly squeezed Zelda's arms, looking at her intently.
Link. The thought of him made Zelda's heart flutter, and she remembered the sight of her beloved knight as he saved Buliara's life.
He had come back, he would finally be with her again, but now that she was here, she felt torn.
Urbosa had taken her in when she was still a lost, young girl grieving for her mother.
The Gerudo had offered her friendship, and Zelda had always turned to her for counsel and to hear her wise words.
Just seeing her now, hearing the warm voice, it was enough to calm her down again, as it had so many times before.
But she also couldn't ignore the part of her that kept saying that Urbosa was dead. She had lost her and nothing could bring her back. This was just a trick of her mind, wanting so desperately to be comforted.
'He is still very much alive,' Urbosa said softly, the sadness in her voice almost palpable.
Zelda looked at her face, trying to commit every single detail to her memory, because she knew that she would soon lose her again.
'I love you, Urbosa,' she whispered, barely getting it out of her clenched throat.
The Gerudo smiled, the love radiating off of her in warm waves, and Zelda knew it before she said anything.
'I love you too, little bird.'
Zelda felt new tears sting her eyes and threw her arms around the tall woman again, digging her face into her shoulder and wishing not for the last time that they had had more time together.