The Legend of Zelda: The Silent Princess

Gorons and Koroks

"Zelda!" Link shouted at me as he quickly put the fireproof cape over my head. After that, he put on his own protective gear, at least the pants anyway.

I cringed, "Sorry about that, guess I should have gone to the closest stable instead of directly to Goron City." It didn't take me long to get over the experience, however, as I stared at the city.

I shook Link's arm, "You have to show me around. This is one of the few places I've never been!"

"Alright, my lady," he said with a smile, leading me down the path. As always, Bludo was walking around just below the hill.

"Ah, if it isn't Link . . . and . . ." Bludo squinted at me then gasped when he saw the seal on my clothing.

He tried to bow, his back cracking along the way. I rushed over to stop him before he got any further to the ground.

"Please, don't strain yourself!"

After another pop in his back, he stood straighter, "I thought the rumors of your return were full of it, Highness. It seems I was wrong. You are the princess, right?"

I smiled at Link, "Yes, I am."

Bludo looked over at Link too, "Which means . . . this whole time . . ."

He gave a laugh as he walked to Link and hugged him. I watched as Link struggled to breathe. Once Blubo let him go, Link sucked in air. He patted Link firmly on the back.

"This whole time you were the same Link that served with Daruk! I wasn't going crazy after all."

"Heeeeey!" a young voice shouted.

We all turned to the main part of the city to see Yunobo running to us, his large arms swinging about. I smiled, realizing just how adorable he was with his pink cheeks and tuft of hair. It made me wonder if Daruk had a similar look when he was younger. If we were choosing champions, he would be my first pick.

"Hey Brother," he said to Link, "I'm glad you're here, goro. Rudania has been acting up again. But this time, it won't move at all! After that big burst of light, Daruk disappeared too."

I ran to Yunobo, and he backed up, surprised by my presence, "You were there with Daruk? You saw his spirit?"

He scratched at his hair with one large finger, "Um yeah. I saw him fire the blast at the castle. It was very strange. A couple of days later when I went up to talk to him, he was gone and Rudania shut down."

I gave Yunobo a smile, touching his arm. His cheeks swelled up with a brighter pink tint. "Well, you'll be pleased to know that Daruk has found his way safely to a better place. And that you will always have a special part of him with you." I pointed at the blue garment he wore around his neck, which reminded me of the garment I made Daruk.

"And now, Yunobo, if you wish to follow Daruk's lead, I am offering you the position to become the next Champion over Rudania."

Yunobo blinked before he curled up in a ball and summoned Daruk's protection, "How do you know my name? I can't become the next Champion!"

Link leaned over to me and whispered, "He's a bit on the sensitive side."

I closed my eyes and stepped right through the orange barrier between Yunobo and the rest of us. I knelt down and put my hand on his curled-up back. He winced.

"How did you--"

"Yunobo, my name is Zelda and I knew Daruk very well. He was like a second father to me. And though everyone pictured him as fearless, I found out there was one thing he feared above all others."