Princess of Ruins

2

Fireworks fell like colorful, fiery confetti upon Gerudo Town. Zelda gazed up at the prism of colors in the sky preparing herself for yet another explosion. The chief of the Gerudo had been correct, they truly knew how to honor their people like no one else. Despite having to wait three days for everything to be arranged, Lady Riju kept her word. They had spared no expense.

"Nice, isn't it?" Lady Riju asked Zelda. The two of them were sitting at the top of the stairs above the center of town.

She nodded, gazing down at the crowd once again. "It truly is. Though I never thought you'd throw such a party for Lady Urbosa."

"Of course," said the chief, "it is the Gerudo way."

Throughout the square of Gerudo Town, the women danced to accordion music played by a blue Rito with a strange sort of veil on. A few Gorons had a live food pit going on, with grilled meats and seafood ready in the center of town. A jewelry seller was out, selling sparkling gems to the many women decked in their fineries. There was even an older Gerudo woman passing out some drink called a 'Noble Pursuit'. Zelda didn't understand much of what was going on, but she was content where she was, watching and taking in the smell of fresh, fried dough covered in sugar.

"You're quite lucky, you know," said Riju, pulling Zelda from her observations by pointing at Link. "He really only does have eyes for you. That voe would do anything to make you happy, you know that?"

Zelda glanced at Riju. "I wouldn't put it like that, but I am grateful for his assistance. Since the fighting has ended, he hasn't left my side, always making sure to help me with everything that's out here."

"If that's true, then why are you up here by yourself? Shouldn't he be up here with you?" Riju asked.

She smiled a sad smile. "I told him that I wanted to just watch the fireworks for a while and just think. He left me some space for my thoughts, which was nice of him."

"Sure," said Riju, rolling her eyes and sliding her hands back. "That's definitely what should be happening."

Zelda sighed. "Regardless of what either of us think, he needs to celebrate. He's worked hard to bring peace to Hyrule."

Riju shook her head. "No, princess, you're wrong about that. He's worked hard not just to have peace, but to be with you. Wave to him and you'll see what I mean."

It was easy to spot him despite the swimming crowd. Link was over by the Rito playing the accordion, dancing and laughing with a small Gerudo child. Zelda smiled as she waved to him, and he looked up from what he was doing and waved back. She could see the goofy grin on his face from even as far away as she was and she thought of the way his eyes seemed to shine when he looked at her on a normal basis.

"Now Lady Riju—" Zelda began.

The Gerudo chief laughed. "Go enjoy yourself with him tonight. I know this is what Lady Urbosa would want."

"Thank you," she replied.

Riju nodded. "Your thanks will be to come back soon, princess. I have a feeling, that as time progresses, we will have much to discuss."

The Gerudo chief stood up, dusted herself off, and left to go join the crowd. Zelda took a deep breath in, and immersed herself in the lively group of Gerudo. As she made her way to Link the heady scent of rich butter, rock salt, goron spice, and fresh game drew her away. Going up to the Goron grilling meat, she pulled out a small pouch of rupees. She figured Link would enjoy something to eat, even if the money was his. Not that they were short on rupees anyways. Apparently, according to Link, he'd been paid hundreds of thousands of rupees by some guy who wanted him to glide down from a Shiekah tower.

Zelda bought Link a large skewer with prime meat and mushrooms on it. The smell of spice wafted to her nose and she couldn't help but think of how much Link would enjoy the meat. As she found him, her mouth watered, hunger manifesting itself once again that night. When he saw her, the smile he gave her earlier curved across his face, and the Gerudo child he was playing with gazed up at her in awe. He squatted down and whispered in the child's ear.

"Nice to see you again, Zelda," he said as he stood once again.

The Gerudo child ran up and tugged on her clothes. "Is it true? Are you really a princess?"

"In a way, I suppose," said Zelda.

Link rolled his eyes. "Not 'I suppose'. Hyrule is still yours, just like Lady Riju said. Be more confident about yourself."

That was easier said than done. Zelda was about to make a remark to lighten the load on her chest when she heard the cry of a Gerudo woman.

"Dalia!" said the woman.

The young child beamed at the two of them. "Mom is calling so I have to go!"

"Bye," Zelda waved with a smile on her face.

Zelda watched as the child faced her eyes once again, and then scurried off into the crowd. She stood there, smiling at the young creature who was so blessed to be alive in a time of peace. If only she could have that level of innocence. Oh what a different world it would be. The hand of Link swirling her close to him, snatched Zelda from her thoughts.

"What do you think you're doing?" She asked. "Did you forget where we are?"

He laughed and pulled her to his chest. "Dance with me."

"Are you crazy?" she whispered. "You could get killed. What if they realize you snuck in here?"

Link shook his head. "I'll just tell them we're gay for each other."

Her hand slid down to the bare of his back, exposed by the very outfit he wore, and she felt the slick of his back muscles, drenched in the sweat of the desert. It felt nice to touch his skin once again, and somehow the ability to hold his body to her own brought her a relief she didn't know she needed. Zelda looked up. Link's eyes looked into her own, and she saw nothing more than the pure reflection of love which had triumphed over every evil. In those eyes, nothing existed but her face and her face alone.

He smiled like the demon lord and spun Zelda out with a simple flick of his wrist. The prism of fireworks spun into a rainbow above her head and her clothes became feathers that only the wind rushed through. She felt herself break out into a smile as her momentary laughter synched with the song of the accordion beside her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, the hints of a song about a princess and a knight played, but in that moment all she could really do was feel the pull of Link.

Her hand landed upon his chest and he tilted his head down at her, as if to examine her for a moment. But then, his feet led her own and she found herself in another moment where she couldn't think, rather just dance. She could feel Link's movements, the soft trailings of silk Gerudo clothing clothing fluttering in a slight wind a guide to where to go next. Her breath was the same as his own, taken away and stolen by the night, only to return if she stopped looking at his ensnaring gaze. There was no question. In this moment was as infatuated with him as she had ever been. He leaned in to whisper to her, and the smooth chill of his cloth veil caused her to shiver.

"I would kiss you right now," he whispered in her ear, "but then we really would get caught."

She looked up at him. "Do you think that after this, we can go home together? And stay there for a while?"

"Anything for you, my princess," he said, and then she was off, flying again against sandy ground.