Legend of Zelda: Divine Vessel

- VIII -

Nova woke up before everyone else, and was greeted with surprise when she discovered she was using Link as a pillow as his head rested on her own.  Luckily, no one was awake to witness the pink color on her cheeks.

To keep her companions from worrying, she used her finger to trace letters into the loose dirt.  When she finished, it spelled "In town, I'll be back soon."  Satisfied, the brunette fastened her divine blade to her hip and set off towards the small town nearby.

The town really was quite cute, with buildings crafted from wood and authentic steam and smoke rising from chimneys.  Nova ventured to one of the smaller venders she had visited before entering the cave, the one where she had reunited with Link after buying her new clothes.  While she was still rather far from the shop, she could smell the fresh bread emitting from its shelves.

Rows of tanned dough lined the wooden walls and steam rose from them.  The girl inhaled deeply and searched through her pockets for any rupees she collected from the dark cavern.  By placing a red gem on the counter, earning two freshly baked loafs of bread.  They were wrapped in deep brown cloths to contain the warmth in the chilly air.

When she returned to her companions, Link had woken up, but Midna's body was rising and falling slowly as she slept.  The blonde smiled when he saw the joyful girl approach with the pillow-like lumps in her arms.  She unwrapped one of the loafs and tore it in half, allowing fresh steam to flow from the fluffy center.  She handed one of the halves to Link, who graciously accepted.

The pure bliss must have been obvious on Nova's face.  After all, fresh bread was her favorite.  She indulged in the fluffy food before Link, as he just laughed at her delight.

"What?" The brunette grunted, eager to return to her bread.

"You're funny." He answered.

Nova pouted and rolled her eyes.  "That's not very nice."

"But, you are."

"How am I funny?" The girl asked with sarcasm in her voice.

Link reached out a gloved hand and wiped a crumb from her cheek and chuckled.  Both his laugh and action caused the poor girl to blush as she drew away from him with embarrassment.  "You're adorable."

She pouted again, not happy with being called such a term.  "Am not." She tore pieces of bread apart and put them into her mouth, continuing to wear a pout.

"You are.  No matter how much you deny it, you're adorable." Link chuckled and flicked a long piece of dark hair over her shoulder.  Again, she shrunk away and caused the boy to laugh more.

"I am not funny or adorable!" Nova complained and Midna began to stir.

"Just accept it." He teased.

"I will not!"

"What are you forcing on her now?" The tired imp crawled towards the two, wiping her eyes sleepily.  It became Link's turn to wear rosy cheeks.

"N-nothing!" He stuttered.  Nova knew it was her chance to isolate the boy.

"Midna..." She began to whine. "Link is being mean to me." Her pout grew more sarcastic as Midna became more aware and conscious.

"What did that insolent boy do to you?" The imp spat threateningly.

"He called me names." Nova shot the blonde a teasing look.

"How dare he!"

"W-wait! I didn't mean to! I mean, I did, but I didn't think you would be so... I dunno..." Link ran a strong hand through his thick hair as though he were stressed.

The two girls burst into laughter, confusing Link even more.

"You're the one that's funny." Nova mentioned between fits of laughter.

"Well, you're still adorable." He mumbled, embarrassment still obvious in both of the Hylians’ expressions.

Midna floated above the two of them, then dropped down and wrapped her arms around the shoulders of the other two of the group, pulling their bodies closer together and deepening their reddened cheeks.

"Both of you are adorable.  Now, where's my food?" The imp demanded.  Thus, she was able to enjoy her own portion of bread peacefully.

Then, a particular white dragon interrupted their meal.

"Vessel, I have detected the direction in which the Emerald of Farore is located.  I suggest traveling as soon as possible."

"Well then," Nova began and stood up, brushing of the dirt that was lying on her skirt. "Shall we get going?"  Link responded with a stern and determined nod, while Midna responded with a groan.  "So, Halo, where are we going?"

"I have sensed the Emerald slightly more south than where you are now, and it seems to be in an area with a great deal of greenery." With no specific direction besides to go south and look for a forest-like area, Halo returned to the blade of Nova's sword.

With their next destination in mind, the travelers set off southward, ready to strike at the moment a monster appeared.

*****

Nearly three days of traveling later, Link, Midna, and Nova had finally reached an area where trees began to emerge from the ground and tower over the small pathway that led into an even more dense area.  Once they entered the first portion of the forest, the sun was barely visible to the leaves above them.

Various noises echoed through the green surroundings, keeping Link and Nova on edge and causing Midna to hide within the boys shadow.

When a faint glow emerged from the Divine Blade resting at the brunette's hip, they knew they had to be close, but the sun was already setting.  Halo showed herself again, just before the adventurers reached a massive tree, far too large to be related to any of the other trees in the area.

"Vessel, Hero." The dragon acknowledged the two of them, earning a pout from Midna who poked through the shadows. "And Twilight Princess." Satisfied, the imp returned to her comfortable place.  "I have confirmed that the Emerald of Farore is within this grand tree.  But beware, I also sense dark presences inside, so make sure you are ready." Just before the dragon prepared to return to the blade, Nova spoke.

"Thank you, for everything." She mentioned, catching the mystical being by surprise.  Nonetheless, she still hid within the sword.

Judging by the lack of light, Link and Nova decided to wait until morning to investigate the large tree.  They climbed to the lower branch of a particularly big tree, but not nearly the size of the one they were to enter the next day.  They leaned onto the rough trunk, rather cramped due to the limited space.

Midna had climbed into Nova's arms and soon fell asleep.  The larger girl hugged the imp closely and struggled to keep her eyes open.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?"  Link whispered to the sleepy girl.  She merely nodded, too tired to speak.  Yet again, he chuckled quietly, earning a look that asked 'what's so funny?'

He reached a strong arm around Nova, who immediately tensed with the uncomfortable contact.  "Don't worry about it." The blonde laughed quietly.  "I said I could be your pillow, and you look like you need it."

Slowly, Nova's tension eased and she was able to relax in Link's shoulder.  Even though they had merely known each other for barely an entire week, all the time they had spent together has drawn them closer to each other.  So, disregarding both her pride and embarrassment, she took the opportunity to rest well.

Nova leaned entirely on Link, with Midna in her arms, and allowed herself to be completely vulnerable.