Free to Love - A Zelda x Link Fanfiction

LV: Sav'otta

Link's Perspective:

It took several days to finally reach the Gerudo desert. The trip was long and grueling and I couldn't help but feel eyes on my back as we rode. Curiously, the shadows I saw from my peripheral vision never seemed to approach. They just stood back and watched us. She never mentioned it, but I could tell Zelda felt the same, glancing over her shoulder too often.

"It's just paranoia," I convinced her. Or at least, tried to. I didnt know if she bought it because, although she smiled gently at me and nodded, I still caught her glancing back. I wanted to believe it was paranoia but I knew that it wasn't. I had a gut feeling it was Yiga spies. Why they wouldn't attack? I didn't know.

I rarely slept, sitting up to keep my eyes peeled for any threatening movement, hand always cupped in Zelda's as she slept next to me. She never mentioned the dark circles under my eyes, which I was thankful for.

That was why I was so relieved when we made it through the Gerudo desert, sweat beading on our skin and the hot rays of the sun beating down on us relentlessly. Thankfully, I noticed that the shadows disappeared. I didn't let my guard down but, of course, I was grateful for it.

Urbosa's guards recognized us immediately as we approached the exterior walls of Gerudo Town. The fierce women stared me down as I approached. Epona huffed, trotting in place.

When their eyes turned to Zelda they paused, dropping to one knee. "Vasaaq, your majesty," the first women said. She kept her head bowed and I noticed Zelda shifting from foot to door. Despite the fact that this was common for her, she still hated the formality of the action. Seeing that kind of usual expression made me smile a bit.

"Uh, vasaaq," she said slowly, thinking over her words as she pronounced them. Her Gerudo was shaky at best. "I'm here to meet Urbosa...?" she said the words slowly, as if trying to think over whether or not she needed to use any Gerudo for the sentence.

"Yes, she has been awaiting your arrival," the second woman spoke up. Her accent was much thicker than the first woman's. Zelda took a moment to translate. She eyed me a bit, before saying, "Must the voe be allowed in?" She asked, sneering a bit.

I stepped towards, pushing back my shoulders. "I know about your traditions, and, while I would abide by them under any other occasion, I was specifically told to stay by Ze— the princess's side to protect her." They both eyed me angrily.

Finally, the first one spoke up again. "Sa'oten!" she swore under her breath. "This is the one time we shall allow a voe within our walls." Zelda's expression flipped from a nervous frown to an excited grin.

"Sor'so!" she smiled. I smiled at her attempt. I never had the heart to tell her that I've studied serveral other languages (including Gerudo). The women stared at the poor princess in confusion and I stepped forward again, putting a hand on her shoulder, smiling sympathetically.

"She meant sarqso," I said gently. They both blinked and nodded. I guess not many voe have learned to speak Gerudo. "Sav'orq."

We edged past both women, leaving the horses outside the walls. "When did you learn Gerudo?" Zelda murmured to me.

As we walked towards the grand palace, women stared. It's not everyday that a voe walks through Gerudo Town, then. "I know a few languages," I murmured back. "My Gerudo is best though."

"Why's that?"

"If I mispronounce something, I'm pretty sure Urbosa would personally beat my ass." She laughed sharply.

"Fair enough," she agreed.

Urbosa was seating on her throne when we approached. She smiled warmly and stood up. I always forgot how tall she was. She stood at least half a foot over me. "Ah, sav'otta!" she greeted, immediately turning to Zelda first and hugging her tightly. "My little bird, how are you?" she asked warmly.

She laughed a bit, trying her best to wrap her arms around Urbosa as well, at least as much as she could when she accidentally pinned her arms to her sides. "Fine, thank you," she choked out. "You?"

"Good, good," Urbosa said, finally releasing the princess. Zelda grinned, a bit breathless from the crushing hug, but didn't mention it. She finally turned to me and furrowed an eyebrow, raising the other.

"How did you manage to convince the guards to allow a voe in?" she asked. I shrugged a bit. I didn't even know the answer myself to that question. Either way, Urbosa laughed and leaned forward and hugged me, too.

"I've arranged rooms at the inn for you both," she said. "Please, go and make yourself at home. I don't mean to brush you off, but I have an issue to resolve."

"Issue?" I asked. The princess shot me a surprised look. "You can go to the inn," I told her warmly. I took her hand, squeezing it briefly. I felt Urbosa's eyes linger on our intertwined fingers, before the princess left sadly.

"What's the issue?" I asked. Urbosas sucked on he bottom lip, tapping her dark nails against her tan skin.

"We've been noticing more activity from the Yiga. We monitor them but... they seem to be out and about much more. My troops have been trying to figure out why."

I re-evaluated the shadows and attacks that Zelda and I have been finding more often. There have been more Yiga attacks, hadn't there?

"Tell me more."

~~~

I'm sorry if this chapter is shit but I'm tired and I'm sad. Chadwick Boseman passed today and it's been on my mind.

Also, "sa'otten" basically means good heavens or goddamn it.