As Nabooru came out of the baths, her wet hair locked in a tight braid and dressed in clean clothes, she noticed that a small group of Gerudos was rushing down the hall towards her. A girl stood in hte center of the group, her face burning with shame for something as she hid her face and held on to her arm. Nabooru recognized the girl as another participant of the Wild Hunt.
"What happened, sisters?" She called out as they drew near. A couple of the women glanced at her and stopped, but then became distracted by a groan of pain.
"We cannot talk now, one of the prisoners attacked Cedrin and…" One of the women began as she stepped away from the group to talk to Nabooru before several of the other women behind shouted in surprise. Nabooru glanced to the direction, noticed that the girl had collapsed, and quickly stepped out of the way. The women quickly ran past, the girl now supported by her elders as they rushed to find Elder Nimona. Nabooru watched the group vanish down the hallway, and then glanced down at the floor. Bright red blood was splattered down the hallway, leaving a trail in the direction of the holding cells. Nabooru sighed before she began following the trail.
Link was still contemplating escape, although he had a vague feeling that the only opportunity he would have was during the festival, when he was disrupted from his thoughts by a familiar voice outside. The other men, who had once again begun bickering, quieted to listen to the conversation.
"…the bastard in there decided he wanted to cause some trouble and attacked Cedrin. How was she when you saw her?" The guard asked worriedly.
"She collapsed and had to be assisted to Elder Nimona's chambers. Do not worry, she is in excellent hands now," Nabooru's voice replied.
"I am relieved to hear that. That Goddess-forsaken wretch, can't we at least punish the bastard for what he has done?" They heard the guard vehemently ask. Link looked towards Voltar, who seemed unconcerned about the affair he caused, and looked back to the entrance.
"You know the Law, you cannot injure another sister's prisoner except if he attacks you or you are given permission from his captor," Nabooru scolded, annoyed that the sister did not remember the law she followed.
"I remember the Law, Nabooru. I did not mean to appear ignorant. May I leave my post and seek out the sister who has claim over him?" The guard asked eagerly.
"You may, but find someone to take your post. We would not want any bright ideas from the prisoners. I'll stay here until you find a replacement," Nabooru replied.
"Yes, sister. Thank you," The guard said before running away.
"Well, Voltar, you have officially made all the crazy ladies here angry. Was that your plan or something?" Evan said. Voltar glared at him and mouthed what Link assumed was a curse before he returned to his brooding. The door slammed open and the three other men flinched in surprise.
"Well, at least this visit did not turn out all morbid. Glad to see your are awake now. How are you, Link?" Nabooru called cheerfully as she walked in.
"I would be better if you released me, Nabooru," Link stated flatly, ignoring the incredulous glances from the other men.
"I can not do that, Link. You're needed here, whether you want to be here or not," Nabooru said as she sat down a few feet from him. She glanced at the other prisoners and scowled at the sight of Voltar covered in blood, but decided to ignore him and focus on Link.
"What are you here for?" Link said.
"I wanted to see how you were doing and talk a little. It's been a while since we last saw each other, correct?" Nabooru said, a light smile on her face. Link thought about that, but didn't spend long thinking before Nabooru decided to continue to talk.
"I heard a little about the incident with Princess Ruto, but not much. Care to tell me?" Nabooru asked with a faint grin.
"By the Goddesses, who are you to know the Zora Princess? Damn, you must be…" Evan suddenly interrupted, shock plastered on his face as he recognised the zora princess's name. Nabooru shot him a venomous glance. Even cowered beneath the stare, eyes wide with fright.
"That story is not suitable for this company," Link said, glancing at the now listening men surrounding him and hoping he hadn't turned red with shame. Nabooru contemplated that, glancing between Link and the men attempting to listen in on their conversation.
"Nabooru, I was sent to guard the prisoners. You do not have to be here anymore," A new voice called from outside the door. Nabooru stared thoughtfully at Link before standing up and walking out of the door.
"Okay, Link, how do you know that Gerudo? Have you been here before?" Robert asked once Nabooru had left the room, eyes glittering with curiosity.
"Never mind that, how do you know Zora Princess?" Evan asked, glaring at Robert before turning back to Link.
"That's not for your ears," Link replied in annoyance.
"Not for our ears, whatever. Hey, maybe you were her lover!" Evan said with a laugh.
"Why would I want to be the lover to that…" Link started to say when the door opened again. Nabooru walked back in with the guard trailing behind her.
"Are you sure it was him and not one of the others?" The guard asked nervously.
"I am sure, sister. We must make sure the prisoners do not escape. Get up," Nabooru said as she unlocked the chain that connected his hands to the wall and lugged him to his feet. Link's legs were not used to having to support themselves, they would have collapsed under him without Nabooru holding him upright. Link debated an attempt to escape once his legs managed to support him, but that idea vanished as he saw several other Gerudos standing at the entrance to the cell.
"Nabooru, why him? Why not this one? This one has already caused problems for us," The guard asked, glancing at Voltar with disgust.
"That's because he does not plan. He attacked Cedrin out of rage, not an escape attempt. However, this one has escaped before. We cannot allow them to plan another escape before the Wild Hunt has completed," Nabooru replied. Link looked away as the other men muttered shocked surprises and resentment. In contrast, several Gerudo agreed with Nabooru and moved away from the door. With a hard shove, soon Link was being forced out of the cell and down the hallway, roughly escorted by Nabooru and twelve guards.
At Lake Hylia, the weather was clear and warm. Malon felt a warm feeling of contentment form in her heart. When she was very little, her mother used to take her to Lake Hylia whenever they could, just to fish and talk about how beautiful the day was. Now, being by the lake brought back those warm memories.
"It's so beautiful!" Saria exclaimed. Malon smiled, the girl had been excited ever since they began their journey across Hyrule Field, pointing out bugs, animals, and anything else she found fascinating.
"Okay, fairy, where is he? Is he at the fish-pond?" Malon asked, looking around for a sign of the person they planned to trick into taking Link's place at the festival.
"Follow me!" Navi replied, leaping from her nest in Epona's hair and flying towards the house. Malon sighed and slid down Epona's side before helping Saria from the saddle.
"Come on!" Navi shrieked in annoyance. Malon scowled and she debated taking a large jar with her. However, she decided against it, or it would only annoy the girl.
"Stay here, Epona," Malon said. The horse snorted before she began chewing on the grass. Malon turned and ran, noticing that the fairy was heading to the house.
"Why couldn't it just say that it was in the house?" Malon growled in annoyance. However, instead of flying to the door and waiting for Malon or Saria to open it, it flew past the house and disappeared behind it. Saria soon vanished behind the house and by the time Malon had reached the point, Saria was already following Navi over a bridge.
"Wait!" Malon shouted in annoyance. However, Navi and Saria did not stop until they reached the island in the center of the lake.
"You're slow," Navi stated as Malon ran forward. Malon growled in anger..
"Navi, where is he?" Saria asked worriedly. Malon stopped contemplating how to kill Navi and glanced around. There was no one on the small island.
"Are you sure he's here?" Malon asked.
"Of course I am sure he is here. I have been here before, I remember everything. He's down there, of course," Navi said as she fluttered to the water's edge and shot down. The fairy dove beneath the surface for a few seconds before flying back up.
"He's in the Zora temple?" Saria asked as she walked towards the edge, looking down at the water.
"There's a temple here?" Malon asked as she followed Saria to the edge of the shore.
"Yes, it's down there on the bottom of the lake. It's not that bad of a swim, come on!" Navi said cheerfully, much to the horror of Malon.
