The Silence Between Them | ✔

15) Trying

⚔ In which some preparations are made, and new resolve is found ⚔

Zelda

Link was tense from when we left Zora's Domain throughout the trip and stay at Gerudo Town until this morning when he greeted me with the smallest of smiles.

Urbosa escorts us back to the stable on sand seals through the sweltering heat. I can say with confidence I've gotten better at riding them, but I'd be lying if I told Link wasn't the true natural. Something else he's naturally good at. But now, he practically skips to the desk to check our horses out. While he busies himself with gathering some extra supplies for the road, I turn to Urbosa.

"What's going on with him?" I ask her.

She grins. "I have no clue. He's peppier than I expected him to be after last night."

I eye her sidelong. "Last night?"

Urbosa chuckles, her smirk wild. "Did he not tell you? He and I went out for a few drinks."

Oh. Well, I guess that explains a few things. Perhaps he needed to get some mind off items more than he did in the stable the other night. I look back to Link, helping the stable hands with our horses.

"He's quite the fun drinker; I'll have you know. He is very agreeable when drunk, although his luck with cards leaves some things to question. Robbed me blind, nearly."

I can't help but laugh a little. I heard the travelers at the stable complain about 'the young lad in blue' beating them out of a near fortune put together. I never thought Link would be one to gamble. He's full of surprises, I suppose. Urbosa talks a bit more about the night and how the other Gerudo took a fast liking to him, even after he wounded their pride on his first night. I can't believe Link would start a fight with the Gerudo, to begin with. Urbosa is telling me all sorts of things that do not sound like Link.

Finally, he came back. He said a quick, hushed goodbye to Urbosa, along with a few words of what I think might have been thanked. Urbosa smiles and assures him all will be well. I wonder what they talked about? I believe it's more than they are letting on. But I wouldn't pry Urbosa for more answers, and it's not like prying Link would do any good.

When we finally get on the road, out of the desert, it's back to the awkward silence, to the tentative eyes boring into my back. But, there is also something different about Link. He seems less uptight in his posture, in his face. I can tell the difference in him, but I can't quite place it. He looks happier, almost more relaxed, even if he doesn't show it on his face.

We only stop to water our horses twice on the way to the palace. We both eat something Link made earlier while riding. We both agreed that another unnecessary stop wouldn't be the best idea if we could get to the palace in a day.

Even though I don't want to return to the palace, I'll have to speak with my father about the Divine Beasts' status; yes, that part of the conversation would go fine. But then I'll have to tell him I've felt nothing about sealing powers. He'll blame me, I'm sure, and the research. I wish I could tell him why the research means so much to me. I wish I could tell anyone, but I can't without completely letting everyone down. The gossips already say awful things, and acknowledging the lack of sealing powers would undoubtedly make things a thousand times worse. But I want the Guardians and Divine Beasts to work, just in case I can't do it. Just in case I can't unlock the powers. If I fail, I still want them to succeed. It's the only other thing I can think of between the fasts, prayers, offerings, and trips to the Springs. And every day, with every prayer, I start to pray more for the Divine Beasts to work and less for my powers because I feel it's beginning to be hopeless.