Izzy: Next chapter, rolling in!
Roecliff: You weren't kidding...
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda or some of the stuff in this chapter.
Link hadn't felt so invigorated since his last quest. Now, with Malon on his side, he felt more secure about his new mission. He let Epona ride hard towards the west with the sun beating on their backs. Soon, he began to see the ground become barren and rocky. They were nearing Gerudo Valley.
They passed the plank bridge that ran over a tiny stream and near a bridge that crossed the gorge. Link stopped Epona and looked ahead. On the bridge was a gate that blocked the path to the other side. Standing in front of that gate was the same woman as before. Last time, he remembered her refusing him access to Gerudo Fortress just because he was a kid. He highly doubted that she would let him in now.
"Well, the path is blocked," Link informed Malon. "Getting on the other side is going to be harder than we thought."
"Hmmm…" thought Malon.
Then, a bee buzzed by.
"Hold on a second," the girl told Link as she slid off the horse.
Link watched her walk over to the small stream. She then picked up what looked like a bee's nest.
"Malon, wait!" Link panicked. "That's a bee nest!"
"I know that," Malon said, then she began to sing to the bees.
Suddenly, the bees came out and buzzed all around her. Link was about to pull out his sword to take care of them, but they lined up in a little row before her.
"Now, go distract those Gerudo women over there," Malon instructed the bees.
Is she talking to bees? Link wondered confused.
Then, the bees flew overhead and straight toward the Gerudos. The guards on duty screamed as they swarmed all around them and ran away. Even the guard in front of the gate had opened it to rush inside.
Link grinned.
"Nice work, Malon," he congratulated.
"Just taking care of business," the redhead proudly told the boy.
"Let's cross before they get back," Link directed as he got off Epona.
The two children crossed the bridge and headed toward the fortress.
Link remembered the fortress well and how its halls twisted and turned in different directions. He wasn't sure how they were going to find evidence inside, but he knew somewhere inside was something that was going to frame Ganondorf.
They snuck beside the stone wall and Link peeked around the corner. Gerudo females walked to and fro with staffs in their hands.
"Okay," Link whispered to Malon. "Follow my lead and stay very quiet. We don't want to catch their attention."
"Okay," Malon nodded with excitement.
Link didn't understand why she was so overjoyed about a dangerous mission. He knew that she was tough as nails, but to think that she would enjoy being in danger was strange to him.
He watched carefully as the guards passed by. He was about to motion Malon to follow him when another guard appeared in view.
Din! Link thought. Security is too tight around here! How are we going to get past them?
Bwak!
Link looks back and sees Malon playing with a cucco.
"Malon! Now's not the time to play!" Link reprimanded in a whisper. "We're going to get busted!"
But Malon didn't listen. She picked up the cucco.
Cocka-doodle-doooooo! BWAK! BWAK!
The cucco flapped its wings nervously and feathers flew everywhere.
"MALON!" Link exclaimed. "PUT THAT CUCCO DOWN!"
Suddenly, he heard voices heading their way.
Great! he thought frustrated. They know we're here!
"Malon! We got company!" Link hissed.
Malon dropped the white bird and grabbed her bow and arrow. Around the corner came the Gerudo guards.
Link pulled out his slingshot and prepared it with a deku seed. Malon fired first at a Gerudo. The female fell to the ground while others trampled over her. Link fired a seed hitting another one square on the head and knocking her down.
Link motioned Malon to follow him up the stairs. The quicker they got inside, the better they could hide. They hurried toward the doors of the fortress.
But more soldiers came out from the door they were going to enter in. Others surrounded them from behind.
They were caught.
8888888
The head guard threw in both Link and Malon into a cell.
"Stupid kids! Get in there and keep quiet!" she scolded as she locked the door behind them.
"I've heard that one before," Malon heard Link grumble under his breath.
She stood up and dusted herself off.
"Way to go, Malon!" Link fumed at her. "Let's pick up the cucco and make lots of noise so we can get caught! Genius!"
"Well, I didn't scream at the top of my lungs!" Malon argued back.
"I wouldn't have screamed at the top of my lungs if you hadn't been messing around," Link scolded.
"It was just a cucco!" Malon defended. "It's not the first time a Gerudo has heard the crow of a cucco!"
"But we wouldn't have gotten caught!" Link yelled.
"I SAID BE QUIET!" shouted the head Gerudo guard.
Both kids faced away from each other angrily. Malon couldn't understand. It was just an innocent cucco! It looked scared, too! Can't he understand that she cares for animals? Sure, she eats cuccos, but when it's wild and alone, she can't help but feel sorry for them.
But, as she thought it though and her anger simmered down, she realized how big of a mistake she had made. She did cause a ruckus and messed their whole plan up. Now, she's stuck in the Gerudo Fortress with no way of getting back home...to the ranch...to her father…
She began to cry. Now, she knew better than to try to go on adventures. She was better off at the ranch, taking care of the animals.
"Malon?" she heard Link speak to her softly.
"What?" she sobbed.
"I...I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to get upset with you. I'm just...well, used to being responsible and knowing things better. I expected too much from you."
"And now...we won't be able to get out of here!" Malon cried. "I shouldn't have come along. I ruined everything."
"That's not true," Link told her. "In fact, I'm glad you came along. After all, I wouldn't have gotten the chance to see you fight. You were pretty good at that bow."
Malon looked up at Link with tears glistening in her eyes. She stared deeply into his. There was something about those eyes that drew her in. He seemed so...mature. How, she didn't know, but he seemed to know so much and act so brave.
Just like she would expect in a knight in shining armor.
"Do you really think so?" she asked as she wiped a tear.
"You were amazing out there," Link said with a nod.
Malon felt her face get hot. What was she feeling? Embarrassment? Coy? Appreciated?
Loved?
Whatever the feeling was, she liked it. She couldn't help but laugh.
"What's funny?" Link asked curiously.
"I don't know," Malon admitted. "I just feel...well...safe, I guess...safe in knowing that you'll take care of me."
"I'll take care of you, Malon," Link assured. "That's a promise!"
Malon smiled. She could feel that he meant it.
"You there!" declared a voice.
They looked up to see a female Gerudo dressed like the head guard only in pink. She had a sparkly red jewel in the middle of her forehead and her gold eyes stared down at them.
"Nabooru?" Link spoke aloud.
Malon looked over at Link surprised. How did he know her?
"You are Link, right?" Nabooru nodded.
"You remember me?" Link jumped up.
"Of course," the Gerudo nodded with a smile. "I remember everything that happened. You saved my life from the Twinrova Sisters and I discovered that I'm the Sage of Spirit."
Ah! The future! Malon recalled.
"I also remember how cute you looked as an adult," the Gerudo winked seductively.
Malon scowled. She didn't like the way she was staring at Link. After all, Link was a kid! Why would she...
What am I feeling now? Malon wondered as she shook her head from the harsh emotion.
"Then you know why we're here?" Link asked while blushing.
"Not really, but I have a pretty good idea," Nabooru replied as she unlocked the door. "You're looking for something that's here at the fortress."
"Yeah," Link confirmed. "We're trying to find evidence of Ganondorf's plot against Hyrule."
"Then I know just the place you're looking for," Nabooru informed as she led them out of the cell room. "Follow me!"
Izzy: Flying by already!
Roecliff: I wonder what they will find?
Izzy: I guess you'll just have to find out next chapter, huh? :P
Roecliff: Don't stick your tongue at me! Review, please!