Fortune Favors the Courageous

Chapter 32: Stratagem

stratagem
n. a plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end
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Zelda explained everything to the Zora royalty, apologizing profusely for arrogating their Domain as a rendezvous point for the world leaders.

While King Dorephan was a tad disgruntled, Sidon's optimistic personality was invaluable in highlighting the advantage of such a gathering.

Zelda sheepishly admitted afterwards that she wasn't privy to the fate of her invitations—whether they'd been accepted or not—let alone delivered. But, tomorrow marked ten days since she'd sent the Indigo-Gos off, and they'd see for themselves.

Although it was later that same day that the Goron patriarch Bludo arrived—probably due to Death Mountain's close proximity to the Domain.

Bludo looked and talked as if he and King Dorephan went all the way back, but the Goron lifespan was similar to Hylians, and Bludo was likely shy of his centennial celebration.

With the patriarch was a young Goron, about the same age as Link and Zelda. Although he towered over the both of them, he seemed the shyest of the bunch. He had a white tuft of hair on his head and a piece of blue fabric tied around his neck. Bludo introduced him as Yunobo, grandson of the late Daruk—one of their best warriors whose likeness had been commemorated in a monument of stone in Goron City. Yunobo, it seems, had taken a different path from his grandfather and became head of the Goron mining company.

Though Zelda wondered why the baby-faced teen had been brought along to this meeting, she found he was pleasant and agreeable—if not a bit reserved—as they spent the afternoon receiving a tour of the Domain.

That said, they were already chatting like best friends by the time breakfast rolled around the next morning. Zelda was fascinated by the Goron people, who were born and made of rock. Link was particularly invested in Goron cuisine—the boulders they ate and the spices they used. Yunobo swore by their prime rock roast, and Link was strangely insistent they let him try a piece, someday. Despite both Zelda and Yunobo reminding him it was literal rock.

The princess was taking a stroll by herself around Lake Ruto later that morning when she saw tanned skin and two fiery red ponytails in the distance. The princess rubbed her eyes, then squinted into the sunlight to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

But, sure as sunrise, two Gerudo were striding confidently up the path. One was short and spunky, and the athletic one beside her was nearly double in height—simple math suggesting that made the larger one at least seven feet tall.

Zelda waved slowly and broadly with her entire arm, trying to catch their attention from her place at the edge of the water. It worked, for the little one waved back with equal enthusiasm.

"Midna!" Princess Zelda beamed when they got a bit closer. "It's so good to see you!"

"Your Highn—oof!" Her words were smothered by the tightest hug the princess could muster, which only took Midna a beat to register before her arms came up and reciprocated the rib-crushing embrace.

"Uh ohhh!" the young Gerudo singsonged. "You're different somehow, Princess. Better." When they finally pulled away, Midna offered a fangy smile, gentle and genuine and knowing. "Link must've gotten to you."

Zelda grinned back. "He has that effect on people, doesn't he?"

Midna gestured to the broad-shouldered beauty behind her. "Your Highness, this is the Gerudo Chieftain, Urbosa."

"Sav'otta, Princess of Hyrule," Urbosa intoned in a thick Gerudo accent. "Or should I say, little bird?"

These things take time, my little bird. Hylia will speak to you when you're ready.