Chapter 10: Just Deserts

Morning came in what seemed a few minutes. Link found himself in his bed, still very tired. After all, he did go to bed at midnight. He got up, stretched, and flopped out of bed. Everything seemed to be on autopilot for Link as was almost every morning. He got his boots, equipment, and hat on before he went downstairs for breakfast. He ate some Cucco eggs and some warm soup before going back to his room. After a good glance outside of the village, Link noticed someone outside.

It was Saria. She was perched up on a wooden fence, staring out at the village and watching the clouds. She was drifting through a sea of thought when someone spoke from behind her.

"Saria? What are you doing out here?"

Saria flinched and turned to face Link. Before she turned, she wiped her eyes and continued.

She shrugged with a casual, "I dunno. I just wanted to see the sunrise that's all."

Link then asked, "Why way up here?"

Saria cringed in thought and said, "I just wanted to enjoy it by…well, myself."

Link nodded and said, "Okay. I understand. Now c'mon. We've got to get to the desert soon."

He then hopped from one side of the roof to a lower level, and finally landed on the green grass. Saria sighed. She had come out here for another reason. She wanted to be alone, but for a different reason. However, she couldn't tell Link…yet.

When the time was right, the sages were ready to go. They had to find a way to the desert and went their separate ways. Link and Zelda shared Epona, Impa and Saria got their personal horses, Darunia curled into a ball and tumbled away, and Princess Ruto jumped into the river and said she'd meet them in Gerudo Valley.

Link and Zelda rode far to the west of Hyrule and got to the bridge. Strangely, the bridge was cut and there was no other way across. Link had done this about a million times; he did it without warning Zelda so that's why she was rather scared after this. Link started backing Epona up a bit.

"Link? What're you doing?" Zelda asked.

"Nothing, just hold on. HYA!" Link answered and gave Epona a good slap.

Instantly, the horse galloped as fast as she could and leapt clean over the canyon! When Link pulled it off, Zelda was gasping for breath.

"Whew! I can't believe you pulled that one off!" she said, catching her breath.

"I've done this before, so don't try this at home." Link warned, and he was off to the Gerudo's fortress.

When he got to the edge, he tied Epona to a tree and went toward the fortress. The Gerudo saw him and put their spears in the way.

"Where do you think you're goin'?" The guard asked, but then her attention shifted to Zelda.

"Who's the girl?" She asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Zelda shuddered as a blade nearly touched her, but Link had it covered. He showed off what appeared to be a membership card he got from them. The Gerudo put up their spears in recognition.

"Oh, it's you." They noticed.

They bowed in respect and Link did the same thing.

"The girl is a guest of mine, and there will be others. They will be a goron, a girl with green hair, a zora, and a sheikah." Link quickly informed them.

The Gerudos nodded in approval. "They will pass, too."

They lifted their spears and opened the gate for Link and Zelda to pass.

A particular Gerudo led them to a chamber in the fortress for guests and said, "This will be your humble abode. Enjoy."

She then strode off to get some food. The place wasn't half bad. It had a large amount of desert decorations from tapestries to scimitars.

"Wow. I may consider living here." Link said in amazement.

He thought for a while, his head on his hand, and then shook his head.

"Nah."

That night, the tent folded open and the familiar face of their favorite Kokiri popped in.

"Huh? How'd you get across the bridge?" Link asked.

He had jumped over a chasm and Saria was right here.

Saria shrugged and replied, "Well, the bridge was out all morning, but the workers got to building for hours. It was up the next morning."

Link blinked a few times and said, "I always knew they were fast."

Saria sat next to Zelda and then looked at Link.

"Uhh…Link? Do you think you could leave us alone for a while?" Saria asked in a very quiet tone.

Link was a little confused, but he replied, "Sure thing."

He then left the tent and lay flat on his back, looking at the stars. The cloudless sky made it perfect and he could do it all night if he wanted to.

Saria looked at the floor, her eyes somewhat gloomy. Zelda didn't like this. Whenever she saw that one of her friends was sad, it made her sad too. She slid toward Saria and put an arm over the Kokiri's shoulder.

"Saria? Is something wrong?"

Saria sniffled, but managed to keep herself from crying.

She looked at Zelda with watery eyes and answered, "Yes."

Saria leaned closer to Zelda, her eyes beginning to overflow.

Zelda calmly said, "It's okay to talk to me. I'm like your big sister. Now, what's the matter?"

Saria kept herself from crying once again and said, "Well…It-It's about Link."

Zelda raised her eyebrows and asked, "What about him?"

Saria's voice was beginning to break up. "I-It's just that…I loved Link. I thought I would always have enough time to tell him, but it's too late now. He's gone for you completely."

Zelda scooted closer and pulled Saria into a hug. Saria couldn't hold it back anymore. She cried like she hadn't cried in a LONG time. Link could hear it outside, but remembered his promise to give them some alone time.

Zelda felt very sorry for Saria and she tried her best to soothe her.

"I'm sorry, Saria. I didn't know you held his heart. I didn't mean to steal him from you…" Even Zelda sounded like she was on the verge of tears when she spoke.

Saria had stopped crying and gave a small grin, but her eyes were still watery.

"It's okay. Just keep him happy. If he's happy, then I am too." She assured.

Saria didn't feel a lot better, but some of the weight was taken off her back.

"I feel a little better, but I don't think it's all gone."

Zelda put a hand on Saria's shoulder and said, "Telling me isn't the half of it. If you want it all gone, you have to talk to Link face-to-face."

Saria nodded in approval and finally allowed Link back in. She had dried her tears and simply decided that she would tell Link when this whole thing was over.

Aww...poor Saria. No matter what happens, she'll always be a little younger than Link.