The Archaeologist

Chapter 13

               She stuck much closer to him after what transpired. After she tended to his many wounds, she would help him walk, even though he was perfectly capable of doing so. His wounds healed within the day, a gift from his piece of the Triforce being nearly restored. Still, she worried and was there should something go wrong.

"We're almost there," Ahura spoke as she kept a hand on Ganondorf's arm while they ascended some boulders. "Almost everyone should be there by now." She wiped sweat off of her brow and look at the hill before them. On top of it was a simple gate with a few buildings behind said gate. The sound of someone humming a tune passed by their ears.

Ahura let go of Ganondorf and began walking towards the place in front of them. He stopped and watched her back. Taking a deep breath, he asked her to stop for a moment. Ahura turned around quickly and ran over to him, asking if he was okay.

"I'm fine, I was curious," the king paused. Even though he was trained over the many years to inspire his followers with just a few words, he found himself struggling with what to say. "Are you not scared of me?" Ahura tilted her head. "You saw what I can turn into. Most would flee or try to kill me."

"I was scared, in that moment. I was scared that I was going to lose you. But I'm not scared of you." Ahura shook her head and looked off to the side as she remained silent with her thoughts. "I...I do care about you, so it pains me when I see you hurt or consumed by hate." She turned around so her back was to him once more. "Now, come on. The others are probably waiting, and I'm hungry."

She started walking away from him before he spoke again. "I care for you as well." Ahura looked back and grinned widely at him.

--

"It took you long enough," Dark spoke with his arms crossed when they entered the barn where camp was set up for several Sheikah, Gorons, and Zora. "What happened?"

"The Hylian forces broke through the barriers and caused a distraction. However, we were successful. We only need to gain access to the Temple of Light and then we can conquer the castle."

"Good, everyone's growing restless. Zelda's chosen warrior is here as well. Turns out, if you distract that idiot with a meal he won't notice an entire army pass through the ranch."

"What's Link doing here?" Ahura questioned as she set her back down on the floor and she slowly sunk down next to ground.

"The Princess has gone missing." Ahura looked over to Impa who was leaning against the wall. "We don't know if she was murdered by the Hylian family to gain the Triforce of Wisdom, if she was kidnapped, or if she ran away on her own accord. What we do know, is that none of our forces here didn't do this. However, the same cannot be said for the Mulblins." Impa turned her attention to Ganondorf. "Do you know anything about this?"

"No, kidnapping her would only make it more difficult to gain access to the castle. Security will be tighter, and everyone will be more alert. We'll have to adapt for each scenario. If she was murdered, we'll have to protect the remaining pieces of the Triforce at all costs. If she was kidnapped or if she ran away, we'd have to be on the lookout for her and make sure she stays safe. If she cooperates with us, we can use her political influence to make the transition of power all the easier and to lessen fatalities. However, if she resists, we could hold her for ransom or take her piece of the Triforce."

"If she were murdered, the Royal Family would be taking more drastic measures to exterminate the other races." Sheik approached the group. "If she ran away, someone would have most likely already asked for ransom or we would have seen some sort of attack against the Royal Family. She most likely ran away. Rumors had it she sympathized with the other races and stood against what her father was doing on multiple occasions."