Chapter Seven
I take my time bathing, making sure I get every crack and crevice since I am so dirty. My hair takes three shampooings to get it decently clean. The warm water feels wonderful on my skin. It's the middle of the night therefore most everyone is in their beds, so after spending a few hours alone in the tubs, I make my way to the kitchen and snag a giant plate of meat, fruit and cheese. Grabbing a few jars of cold water also, I finally head back to my tent to bed for the night. Being in that dungeon and strapped to the table for five days has exhausted me.
I take my food and set it in front of my mirror, sitting myself in front of it also. Taking a large bite of meat and beginning to chew it, I lift my brush to my hair and comb out the snarls. I watch myself, nonchalantly my thoughts go to Link. I need to see him and let him know that I'm alright.
The cut on my face has somewhat healed but it is still deeply bruised. I put a thick healing salve on it, hoping that it will keep from scarring. It's still quite purple around my eye but has started fading to a green slightly around the edges.
I slowly finish off my food, not wanting to make myself sick as I gently run my brush through my hair a few more times. I down the two jars of water and finally climb into my wonderful bed. I very much missed actual sheets and a blanket. Not exactly what I had in the castle, but I have a new appreciation since sleeping in the dungeon. My eyes slip shut and I instantly fall into a much needed oblivion of sleep.
I wake quite refreshed, but I slept until the next night. I dress in my normal white pants and a light green crop top, leaving my hair falling to my waist around my shoulders. Feeling hungry again, I make my way to the dining area to find some food. The whole place is deserted. Not a soul to be seen.
I make myself a small plate of food and quickly consume it there. Dumping my dish in the bin, I turn right for Madame's quarters and make my way quickly to her room. Once at the top of the stairs, I peer around the corner finding nothing. No Link, no Madame. The only possible place they could have taken him is to the fields if he isn't bathing.
I run to the stone tubs only to find them also empty. Running to my tent, I gather my working clothes and paint my face quickly in seductive makeup, mainly to cover my cuts and bruises, and planning to find a way to be near to Link. I grab my wig and clothes and bolt out of my tent to the stables. A large, black gelding is left and I don't even bother to saddle him, just put reins on and drive my heels into him, enjoying a free feeling, bareback ride. I learned quiet a bit from home about horses so I guess you could consider me as an expert. I ride the hour long trip in a conscious silence.
The trip seemed to drag on so long since I was so anxious to see Link, but I finally made it at a sprint the entire way. I tie the horse at the trough and he drinks the water gratefully. I don't look back as I rush to the dressing room.
Hastily, I throw my skimpy beaded bra on, it hardly covering my big breasts but enough to cover the bruises. Half of my hickey hangs out the side though.
I hurry and put my usual same styled bottoms on with the wide slit up my thighs to the waistband. This skirt is pink instead of my normal gold. I quickly put some pink gaudy, rhinestone earrings on and a belly ring, also decorating my bare arms and wrists in bracelets and cuffs. Finally, I put my sandals on and throw my red wig on, contemplating for a moment if I should wear it. Shrugging at myself in the mirror, I hurry out the curtain door and into the entertaining area.
I make my way to the bar and grab a serving tray, starting to busy myself in the nights events. I keep an eye out to hopefully see Madame or better yet: Link. I'm too far away from her normal VIP seating. Purposefully, I start to slowly work my way over there, serving a few people along the way to look inconspicuous. I finally am in reach to catch a glimpse of Madame's seating and the sight baffles me. Even angers me. There, sitting almost naked with a chain around his neck like some sex slave, is Link, seated on cushions right next to Madame and her six ass-kissers. My eyes narrow in anger. She is showing him off. Though I admit, he is so sexy. They are seated on lush cushions and surrounded by expensive fabrics and furs. She is basically royalty of this place.
I go back to the bar to pick up some drinks and head right in front of Madame's seating area. She is somewhat on a stage area, mainly to keep an eye out on everything that goes on.
As I walk by, I steal a glace at Link and see him gazing off at the ceiling. Right as I start to turn my head from Link, I feel a coarse hand grab my ass and the unexpected sensation sends me reeling forward, drinks fall to the floor, glass shattering as I follow suit and land on top of all of it. The rude man begins laughing and I lift myself up onto my hands, tears of humiliation beginning to fall. I look up to find Madame standing against the railing of her platform, calling over a bouncer to escort the asshole out. Looking at Link, he shows no emotion as to what happened. He doesn't know that it's me.
My eyes become blurry with tears as I try to push myself up and feel deep scratches all over them from the broken glass. I cry out in pain and finally catch his complete attention. Madame is walking around to the stairs and while no one is watching, I hive him a very small shake of my head and his eyes widen in disbelief. His face is stricken with worry as I roll over onto my bottom, clenching my lacerated hands into my stomach. Madame comes, lifts me and sends me with a few of her servants.
"Take Zelda and my consort back to camp. Get a healer to take care of her hands," Madame commands to three of her girls. "The rest of you hurry and get this mess cleaned up. We only have a few more hours until closing."
One of the girls wraps her arm under mine, my arm around her shoulders and hers around my waist, we make our way to the dressing rooms. The other two go and grab Links chain, one pulling and the other walking beside him, though he doesn't protest.
"Please", I whisper to the girl taking me," let me wash my hands."
"Make it quick", she snaps in reply, setting me in front of a vanity and filling the wash basin with water. I look into the mirror and spot Link standing a ways behind me in the reflection. I give him a small smile when the other women aren't looking since this moment somewhat resembles our first night making love, but his exhausted face is still plastered with worry.
I dip my hands into the warm water and begin to pull out what shards I can see, wincing and gasping continuously in pain. Though painfully, I lightly rub as much blood as I can off of my hands and arms, but unable to get it all. I pull my wig off and drop in on the counter, my wild blonde hair falling around me to my waist.
Standing, I follow the women and Link out the door to a carriage. They load us up inside and two of the women take the drivers bench, leaving Link and I sitting next to each other with the last woman sitting across from us. We all stay silent as we begin our journey back to the Gerudo desert. He is tensed up next to me. I can feel it radiating off of him. Weather it's from me getting hurt, sitting so close yet not being able to touch, or whatever Madame has been doing to him, it's very intense.
After about twenty minutes, the carriage stops and the woman in with us exits and does not return.
"Go to the clan and get the healer. Bring her quickly." I can barely make out what the woman coaching commands. I catch a glimpse of the woman that was in the carriage with us riding off on the gelding that I had brought. The carriage suddenly lurches forward, throwing me towards the floor but Link's strong, familiar hands grab my bare waist and pull me back onto my seat. I turn and look at him with my wide, blue eyes and all of the pressure releases as I burst into silent tears. He pulls me into his lap like a child and I turn my face into his shoulder as response, sobbing as quietly as I can. His arms wind around my revealing skin in comfort.
We sit like this in somber silence for quite some time. His closeness makes me finally feel safe despite my horrid last week. I slightly pull away, looking into his eyes darkened with sleeplessness.
"How have you been? Are they treating you alright?" I question him with a very serious tone. He looks up to the roof of the carriage, obviously unhappy.
"Much better than they have treated you I see", he sighs. "You're skin has been scorched by the sun and they have starved you. I can see that you have thinned, and your face… you have bruises everywhere." Link runs his fingers along my cheek bone finally looking at me. He clenches his jaw in anger.
"Link, they could have done much worse to me," I reassure, "I'd take punishment every day over them hurting you. I'm just glad they spared me so I can see you again." He doesn't look convinced.
"Zelda, they have hurt you. It took all of my strength to contain myself when that girl slapped you. I've never been so angry.." Link trails off into his angry thoughts. I nestle my head into his shoulder and suck in a deep breath through my nose, embracing his sent.
"I promise, I'm fine Link. I'd go through that time after time just to be with you." I turn my face to him and tenderly kiss his lips where he relaxes a little. He sighs, defeated in the conversation.
"Let me check your wounds. Sit in front of me." I stand and kneel before him on the floor of the carriage, careful not to touch my hands or arms against anything. He holds my chin gently turning it from side to side.
"That looks bad, but it will heal fine. Let me see your chest." I remove my now blood stained pearl bra, reaching behind my back and untying it, also reaching up to untie it from my neck. The top falls to the floor with a soft thud of the pearls and my arms drop to my sides, my bruised chest now bare for Link to take in. I lower my eyes to his hands and wait for his reaction.
"Oh, Zel", he whispers in a shaky voice. His hand lifts and I feel his fingertips lightly brush against the deep purple hickey. They trail across the green bruises from fingers that had held me so aggressively. His warm hands very lightly cup my breasts and the feeling is exquisite on my bruised chest.
"They will heal with time." I stand and seat myself next to him, out naked flesh kissing. "How have you been Link? Are they hurting you also?"
"No, more or less I suppose. They feed me now which is great but they force me to bed more times in a day." His words are somber and he becomes silent. I lean against him more, trying to give him some comfort. "I wouldn't be surprised if she were pregnant now", he whispers, fidgeting his hands. I take my blood-stained hand and shakily put it on his.
We sit in silence together for a while. He is hurting. All I can offer him is my presence.
"Link?" I ask after some time, giving him some silence to think.
"Hmmm?", his reply vibrates through him.
"My father… how is he?", I ask timidly, afraid of the answer. I feel a little guilty for not asking about him sooner.
"He's alright. The massive snow storm two years ago took a toll on him but he has been holding out until we find you. He's been worried about you, though that letter you sent did relieve some of his stress, he still grows weary."
"What has been happening after I was taken?" I press. The castle had been infiltrated with Gerudo the nigh of Yule when they captured me from my chambers. The women had forced me to write a letter to my father telling him to give up trying to find me because I was fine, that I had gone away and not to look for me. I'm glad they saw through it.
"Your father had every able knight looking for you. He kept me at the castle, knighting me kings deputy and head of Hyrule guard. I've led countless searches over a year to find you. Yet somehow these women always remained hidden, we weren't even sure it was them that had taken you. One of your ladies maids had sworn she caught sight of a Gerudo walking around the corridors.
"After you sent that letter telling us to cease the search, I remained with your father trying to care for Hyrule. I became crazed about finding you. I've been looking and searching. Finally after all this time, I was staying at an inn in Kakariko when I was drugged and captured by some Gerudo women. They said I looked "promising". Now here I am." I take a moment to soak in the information that he has told me.
"We need to escape. My father needs to be cared for to regain his health", I say matter-of-factly.
"Zel, I don't think he is going to get better. If anything, you need to go be with him and claim the throne once he is gone. Your country is going to need you soon." I remain silent. My father, dying?
"How are we going to escape Link? I can't stand to keep being apart from you. Though, I am royalty and it is my duty not to harm them. They are my people and they were mistreated by our ancestors hundreds of years ago. My family owes it to them not to harm them."
"Zelda, but look what they have done to you. They are hurting and torturing you. We could easily make it out if I had my hands on some weapons."
"No", I begin. "No weapons. If they are going to be killed then it will be in front of parliament and legal by my fathers word. Besides, some of them might be innocent. There are multiple tribes, we just happened to end up with the wrong ones."
"I don't know… then we need to earn their trust then first before we run. It's going to take quite a bit of time." I sign, leaning back against him once more. He wraps an arm around me once more, pulling my bare chest against his own, causing electricity between us.
We arrive back to camp not too shortly after our conversation ended. It was nice to be with him for a while. We separate as the carriage slows and I put my top back on. One of the women opens the door to lead me out as the other climbs in and grabs the chain connected to Link's throat. They walk us to the tents and start to lead Link to the dining area.
"Go change", the girl next to me orders. "Come back to the tables to meet with the healer". I do as she orders, making my way to my tent. I change my clothes carefully. Putting my white harem pants on and a silk robe, I leave my sore torso naked, only covered by the thin fabric. I make my way back to the tables only to find it deserted. I take a seat next to the fire in the soft sand, bringing my knees to my chest and sitting my chin on them, enjoying the moment of warm air licking at my skin.
Soft padding of feet in the sand causes me to look up and see Link. He is wearing pants similar to mine and his chest bare, the cuff now removed from his neck. The fire light reflects seductively off his toned muscles. I can't help but feel my hormones stir at such a sight of him. His blond hair untamed around his angel like face, the fire light dancing off of his tanned honey skin. He sits down next to me and I clear my throat, trying to regain my thoughts.
"You two wait here while I get your food. No funny business", one of the girls orders us. I gaze into the fire, embracing the calmness at the moment and the blessing of having my lover by my side for the time being. I feel Link lovingly grab my ankle, merely finding a place to discretely touch me while the women were away. Too soon he pulls away to keep us from getting caught.
The two women bring us plates piled with food and we eat in silence. They sit across from us by the fire, quietly conversing about the nights crazy events. As if coincidence, once we finish our food, the other Gerudo that left us earlier rides into camp with the healer behind her. I stand with the other women as does Link.
The healer guides me to the table with a light hand on my back and everyone follows suit, Link sitting directly across from me.
She is a limber, older woman the healer. Her red hair has faded into a deep white yet it still hangs long down her back. She is dressed is brown trousers and a brown fitted leather shirt. Usual looks for a healer.
"Get me a bowl of warm water", the old woman orders one of the Gerudo women in a raspy voice. She takes off, walking swiftly back with water from the hot baths.
Setting the bowl in front of me, the healer grabs ahold of my hands, pausing as she gives me a piercing look for a moment. Link nor the other women notice this as the old woman puts my hands in the warm water. She begins pulling herbs and ointments out of her bag, putting some into the water and I feel the searing pains begin to dull. Some of the herbs I recognize. Impa had taught me some of the Sheikah healing ways.
The healer woman takes quite some time removing the shards of glass from my hands. I frequently gasp in pain which leads Link to continuously stare at me with worry. He watches me with his piercing blue eyes the entire time.
Finally after what seemed like hours of pulling sharp slivers out of my raw hands, she pats them dry and applies a healing salve, then bandages my lacerated hands.
"Keep them dry and clean the wounds once a day. Keep them wrapped and coated generously with this salve. You'll be healed up in a few days." I stand with her, beginning to thank her. The other women move to the fire to converse.
"Thank you, mi' lady..", she cuts me off, pushing her lips to my ear.
"You must leave here, my Queen," She whispers coarsely in my ear. "Before you bear the young hero's child in this Goddess-forsaken land." I reel back from her with a small gasp and she puts a finger up to her lips to quiet me, but this is the last thing I have ever expected to hear. My hands fly to my abdomen as she shakes her head. I drop my hands back to my sides and step close to her again.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I whisper to her urgently, our time is coming to end.
"You are not with his child yet, but soon you will be. If you don't leave, I fear you may loose it or have a difficult time bearing it here. Your Madame will resent you for claiming his seed when she cannot. The other shaman of our tribe have foreseen this, and we agree that you must run.. We need you for this country." She hastily leaves me with these startling words and a quick bow of her head in respect. I wrap my arms around my stomach and turn to face Link, my startled gaze meeting his own and he gives me a questioning glance. His eyes find my abdomen cradled by my arms and I see him suck in a gasp and give me a look of fear. I quickly shake my head at him and drop my hands again.
Too quickly, the women grab him by the arms and begin to lead him towards Madame's chambers. He gives me a glance of worry before he is turned to walk away, but I can't wipe the look of shock off my face. How are we going to become pregnant if we never see each other anyway? I have time, right?
My eyes stay on Link's bare back as he is taken away.
Still dumbfounded, I nonchalantly turn and go to my tent, climbing right into bed and fantasize what my future would look like with Link as my King husband and our blonde heirs running about the castle. The thought is uplifting as sleep draws me into its deep, black embrace.
