Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 18

Eventually after a bit more walking Zelda stopped walking. "We should head back to the castle so we can retrieve our horses and head to Goron City. It's still only late morning so if we hurry we can get there before it gets too late." Link agreed and Zelda led the way back to Hyrule Castle.

When they got back to the castle they quickly headed to the stables. Zelda had someone at the stables fetch their horses and while they waited Link scanned the area. His eyes stopped when he saw his father and Liliana walking towards town. Zelda saw where he was looking. "That's your father and sister, yes?"

Link nodded. "Yeah, they are probably heading into castle town. Lily always liked spending time there. I was going to go with her the day of the ceremony but duty first." Link turned back and saw Epona and Jesper being led to them.

"You guys were quick." The worker pointed out.

"I have somewhere else that I need to be so I couldn't take too much of a break." Zelda said as she climbed onto her horse and Link climbed up onto Epona. Without exchanging anymore words with the worker Zelda flicked Jesper's reigns and they started off at a brisk pace. While they rode Link kept fighting off the urge to let his mind wander off to think about what Zelda had mumbled to herself earlier. However, he couldn't risk being attacked by any monsters and not being able to act quickly. As they rode they passed several stables and the sun moved across the sky. Link hoped Zelda's calculations hadn't been off and they still had a chance to make it.

Eventually they came to a stop at a stable called foothill stable and Zelda turned to look at Link. "Our horses won't be able to stand the heat of the volcano so we'll just have to continue on foot." Link nodded and followed Zelda through the hot springs and up the mountain. As they walked Link kept his eyes on the back of Zelda. Surely there was something that he could say so that she would know that Link didn't hate her. Nothing came to Link's mind except just straight up telling her that he heard what she had said earlier. Although he couldn't imagine that Zelda would be happy to hear that he had been listening to something that was meant for her ears only.

As they walked Link noticed that Zelda's hands slowly balled into fists and he frowned. What was bothering her so much that it was making her angry. Was it her hatred towards Link that was upsetting her or was it something else. Either way Link knew he couldn't ask. He didn't want to intrude and ask questions that she didn't want to answer. Link then noticed that her hands unballed and her shoulders slouched slightly. Was she okay? Link opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. Again he just didn't want to intrude.

The temperature steadily increased but unlike in the desert this wasn't hot as in a summer's day this was hot as in lava. The further up the mountain they got the more rocks Link could see had traces of lava showing through their cracks. It wasn't so hot where it was unbearable but it was definitely uncomfortable. Link watched Zelda roll up her sleeves and tryThat was to discreetly fan herself with her hand.

"Is everything okay, Princess?" Link asked.

Zelda tensed slightly before turning to look at Link. "I'm fine," she said shortly.

Although Link didn't believe her he didn't want to press anymore. "Okay, I just wanted to check." Zelda didn't say anything but picked up her pace.

Eventually they reached a place where several Gorons were mining. And one of them noticed them and walked over towards them. "Princess... Zelda isn't it? What brings you up the mountain?"

"I need to speak with Daruk, can you point out which is Goron City?"

The Goron shook his head. "If you are looking for Chief Daruk he is at the Divine Beast right now. I can point you in the direction that is."