A Much Needed Hero

Chapter 9: Risks

[Ganondorf]

Ganondorf clenched his jaw as he scrolled through Navi's sheikagram post. The image causing his anger was a group shot of Navi, Malon, Sheik, Link, and Zelda. They we're all smiling and seemed to be having a great time.

Nabooru came and sat next to him on the hideouts couch. "What's the matter?"

Ganondorf handed over his phone. "Look at this."

"So? Zelda's still hanging out with those lame friends of hers. We already knew that."

"Zoom in on Link and Zelda."

Nabooru gasped. "Are they holding hands?"

"Yes." He snatched his phone back, and stood up, beginning to pace the room. He had to fix this.

"Look, it isn't the end of the world-"

"Isn't it?" He ran his fingers through his hair, huffing in frustration. "We've already had to modify our plans because of this stupid friends group of hers, and now if she and Link become a thing it'll be nearly impossible to pull this off."

"Calm down." Nabooru stood and placed a comforting hand on his back. "We can figure this out."

"Are you sure? Because otherwise that's three years of hard work down the drain."

"It'll all come together, you'll see."

"I don't know." He sighed. "Zelda and her friends are growing even closer."

Nabooru grinned. "Well the higher she gets the harder she'll fall."

Ganondorf laughed, she was right. "Sounds like Zelda needs a push then."

***

[Link]

Link stabbed at his salad, his eyes and attention fixed on the outskirts of the cafeteria. Zelda was there talking with Groose, and Link could tell, even from this far away, that he was flirting with her.

"What did that salad ever do to you?" asked Sheik as Link mutilated his poor salad.

"Link is just jealous." Malon gestured over to where Zelda was still chatting with Groose.

Link narrowed his eyes. "What could they possibly be talking about for this long?"

"Well Groose is in the same english class as Zelda and I," Navi explained around a bite of food. "And they were paired up for a project today, so maybe that's it."

"Maybe..." Link glared at Groose's stupid head, who did he think he was? Zelda and Link had a connection, and well he wasn't entirely sure what they had, they still had something. Links only consolation was that it seemed that Zelda wasn't reciprocating or encouraging Groose's advances. Link ate a bit of his salad but almost choked as Groose started flexing his muscles for Zelda to see. He stood up, that was it. "I'm going over there."

"Aw, Link is so jealous!" Malon batted her eyes, staring at Sheik. "If only someone felt that way about me."

"Go get her, lover boy." Sheik nodded at Link then paused and turned to Malon. "What did you just say?"

But Link was already gone, navigating and dodging around the packed lunch room. He hated to admit that Malon was right, but the heavy feeling settling in the base of his stomach was definitely jealousy.

"Hey guys, whats up?" Link asked, going for a nonchalant tone in his voice as he approached.

"Oh hey, Link." Zelda smiled at him and he detected a hint of relief in her voice. "Groose was just talking to me about a party he's going to this weekend."