Heroes Between Realms

Zelda

Zelda was a few steps higher than Link. She was a little disappointed that after all this time, he would still follow silently behind. Always professional, always distant.

    Zelda pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind as she climbed the last step. She plastered a smile to her face upon seeing the young chieftain.

    The girl was only about 12 years of age, slouching on her throne. Her brilliant red hair was pulled back, the chieftain headpiece looked massive compared to her small frame. There were many features that reminded Zelda of Urbosa, like her piecing green eyes and sharp face. Her hair was just a shade lighter than the late chieftain.

    The girl straightened upon seeing the princess. "Your Highness. What brings you here?" Her eyes glanced back at Link, and Zelda bit the inside of her lip, but the girl only smiled.

    "It's a long story," Zelda replied, pulling the girl's attention back to her. "We're here to ask a great favor, Chieftain . . . I'm sorry, but what is your name?"

    The girl smiled. "Riju. What do you need?"

    Zelda started explaining to Riju everything concerning Poe and their halfway made plan.

    "I see," Riju said, falling back into her throne. "We can certainly keep him in our custody-"

    "No we cannot!" Riju's guard bellowd, thumping her huge sword on the ground. Terrako jumped back with a startled whoop. "No voe are to be stepping foot within Gerudo Town. And certainly not the enemy!"

    Riju sighed. "You didn't let me finish, Buliara. We can put him in the ice storage - away from the town - and send a dozen women to guard him. That way, he is away from the people, but locked up."

    "That's. . . quite smart," Buliara credited.

    Riju raised her eyebrows in a knowing manner. She turned to Zelda. "I'll send a dozen worriors to take this man to the ice storage. You can stay at the inn if you'd like."

    "Thank you, Riju," Zelda said. She turned to leave, but paused. "Don't let his hands get into his pockets." Nothing good would come if this happened, and hopefully they would listen to this warning. Zelda walked down the stairs.

    Terrako stayed behind to stare at Riju, and Link pushed him along with his foot. Terrako batted the foot away with a sassy whoop, scurrying to Zelda's side. Riju giggled at the little machine.

    When they were at the bottom of the steps, Zelda turned to Link. "I'm glad that worked out."

    Link nodded an agreement, untying a little pouch from his belt. "Get us a room at the inn. I'll make supper."

    Zelda held out her hand for Link to drop the pouch of rupees in as a group of Gerudo worriors marched in perfect union through the town to the main entrance. Zelda felt herself relax just a little more. She looked back to Link, finding herself gazing into his sparkling eyes. He stared at her for a moment before blinking and pointing behind her to the inn. With a wavering smile, she headed for the inn. When she was about halfway there, she turned to see Link crouched by a cooking pot. Terrako sat behind him, watching.

    Sighing, Zelda stepped into the inn, smiling at the woman behind the counter. She gasped and dipped into a curtsy.

    "Princess," the woman said. "Would you like a private room?"

    Zelda glanced over her shoulder at Link, but couldn't find a reason why. "Yes, please." She opened the pouch. "How much?" she asked, looking inside. Red and purple rupees gleamed up at her with the acasional white. Zelda's eyes grew huge at the fortune.

    "Free of charge," the woman said, moving around the counter.

    "No, please," Zelda protested. "How much?"

    "What kind of person would I be to charge you, Your Highness?" she persisted. The woman led Zelda down a hallway without another word. She opened one of the doors, curtsied again, then left.

    Zelda walked into the small room, closing the pouch of rupees. Maybe she would leave something on the bedside table for the woman.

    Zelda stopped in the middle of the room, scanning it. One bed. One table. One dresser. Nothing came in pairs. She dropped the pouch, spilling rupees all over the floor.