Moving On (LoZ fanfic)

Chapter 4

Moving on Chapter 4

There were reports of increased Yiga activity practically all over Hyrule shortly before and after the attack on Gerudo town. No one knows why but whatever plan they've developed involved the Sage's secret stones, how they even knew of such objects was a mystery.

By some unknown miracle, Link made a full recovery within a day or so. Must be some sort of record that. As for Riju her arms were still far from healing, yet he was free to do as he pleased. Speaking of, she heard the fluttering of a paraglider in the wind and the tap of boots against the windowsill. There he was, come from who knows where.

Forgetting about the condition of her arms, Link tossed her a wildberry on his way in, the berry hit her in the shoulder and fell to her lap. Riju gave him a mildly disappointed and annoyed glare for a minute, before carefully picking up the berry with her weak hands and putting it in her mouth.

Link nervously apologized and sat beside her bed, taking out a cup of warm milk, honey porridge and a cake, and placing them on her bed-side table.

"You have my thanks." Riju said semi-sarcastically after she finished her wildberry, lifting her bandaged arms obviously up to his face. Link only chuckled and took a spoon from his pack, offering to feed her himself. Riju gave him a perplexed look. It was honestly amazing how often Link seemed to forget how much power she held over him, she could easily banish him for that, her guards would probably even encourage it. It was sweet though, being treated just like a friend and not a leader. And as a friend she'd decline.

"Hmhm, no thank you. I'll have some when I'm feeling better." Riju declined with a small chuckle. Link shrugged and put the spoon back. She probably wouldn't, she didn't really have much of an appetite. She would feel guilty if Link didn't have a banquet's worth of food on him at all times.

"Did you manage to infiltrate the hideout?" Riju asked, eager to hear some good news. Link shook his head. The one footsoldier that escaped of course tattled and told them that the member with blond hair was actually Link himself. Though that'd probably only prove a small obstacle, if he sewed some horse hair to the hood instead of showing his own hair that should do it, the Yiga weren't exactly the brightest.

"Heh, yes I suppose that'd work. Though they look to be smartening up so be careful when you try that." She advised; Link pretended not to roll his eyes. He'd be fine he said. He was terrible sometimes. She'd just have to trust in his ability.

Hmph, she hated this. Being unable to do anything herself, having to trust in others in her stead. She held no doubts about Link, she knew very well he was capable, the most capable in all Hyrule in fact but... The helplessness endlessly frustrated her. A scowl grew over her face without her noticing, causing Link to give her a concerned look.

"Are you alright?"

His voice sliced through the frustration clouding her mind.

"Oh, d-don't worry, it's nothing." She said, trying to sound as confident as possible to try deterring him. Though it didn't work. That look of concern remained on his face, his pronounced eyes holding firm contact with hers as if to tell her it's alright. She wasn't sure if she did or didn't want to tell him. She was ashamed of these worries, that they'd come back to her again after so long. She remembered being practically haunted by the feeling of helplessness when her mother died and afterwards. Stuck as chief, a position that would put her in the eyes of the same madmen that slayed her mother. She swore she wouldn't be afraid, for her people's sake, and spent a long time fighting that feeling. With the help of Buliara and later Link, she got over it, moved past her self-doubt and fears of the Yiga. Feeling such things again in such powerful force, she felt like she'd regressed, lost all she'd done, which made it so much worse.

Without knowing it she gotten lost in her own thoughts again, pulled out by a gently placed hand on her shoulder. Drawn back to reality, she faced Link again. If she was going to tell anyone, he probably was the best one to go to. She told him everything, starting with how these thoughts plagued her childhood, how she'd moved past them then got snatched back into that same pit because of that Yiga attack. All the while Link listened, giving her his full attention.

By the end of it, she felt better. Though she couldn't shake a small amount of guilt for putting that all on Link.

Link lifted his hand from her shoulder, surprising her a bit. He reached into his pack and took out what looked to be a pink glowing ball.

"What is..." She was about to ask, only for it to spring up from his palms and fly around her, causing her to jolt mildly.

"What was that!?" She asked, looking around, totally confused as to what'd just happened. Link only chuckled at her confusion, causing her to give him a look of utter bewilderment. Finally, she realized her arms no longer hurt, in fact they felt fine, possibly even stronger than usual. She looked at her hands that were now totally restored, then back at Link who had a wide grin on his face.

Riju laughed, and laughed again, and continued to laugh as she grabbed Link with her revitalized arms and strongly brought him in for a hug. A hug so strong she'd worry she was crushing him, if she didn't know better of course. She was however ignorant of Link's shocked expression and stiff body as she held him so tightly. He took a minute to process before regaining his composure in time so Riju wouldn't notice.

She quickly let go of him after she got over her wave of relief.

"Thank you." She told him sincerely as she let go of him. He gave her a wide smile once again and finally explained that what he'd given her was a fairy, a magical creature which would heal all wounds and even bring someone back from the dead. She was expecting something along the lines of 'you're welcome' but she supposed that worked too.

Link smiled and stood up, ready to leave and make preparations for his infiltration of the Yiga hideout, though Riju stopped him by grabbing his arm. She wanted to ask him to stay, though she knew she shouldn't, he had to infiltrate the enemy as soon as possible.

"Be safe." Was all she said. He gave her an affirming nod before leaving via the window.

Riju sighed and leaned up, watching the sun set from her doorway. There was work to be done now that she was better, repairs and preparations for another attack and such. She wondered when Link would get back, and what news he'd bring with him. Fighting the Yiga now was like fighting something else entirely, what happened behind the scenes were anyone's guess at the moment.