Link sighed as he watched Ghanim lay a single rose across Yuta's bed as she slept. The sun was already starting to rise. Ghanim smiled and walked out the door with Link.
"Not into her, huh?"
Ghanim went pink.
"She's alright.."
"Look, man, I'll see you around. I gotta go check on Teleli."
Ghanim nodded and man-hugged Link. "Love you, my bro."
"Don't get mushy on me, Ghanim," Link forced a smile.
"Don't be so down, Link. It'll all be okay."
"Night, man."
"Morning."
As Ghanim entered the house, Link turned and headed toward Death Mountain. As he made his way up the rocky trail, he dreaded having to break the news about Teleli's friends. She wouldn't take that very well, and he couldn't stand to see her upset.
He nodded solemnly toward his Sworn Brother as he passed him into the Death Mountain crater. He finally made his way through the temple to where he knew the grotto was and climbed down into it.
xxx
"Link's here!"
"Link!"
Teleli jumped up to hug her Hero, but something was wrong. She studied his face. His mask of faux happiness couldn't hide the discomfort and grief he was obviously feeling.
"Babe?"
Link's fake smile broadened with difficulty as he hugged the girl. "Hey, sweetheart."
"What's going on?" No one could fool this girl. Link sighed and looked away.
"Hello, Saria.."
Saria gazed at Link solemnly.
"Something's wrong. Tell us, please."
Link rubbed his forehead with a gauntleted hand. The girls waited in silence.
Link's cerulean eyes caught Teleli's golden ones.
"Two of your friends are dead.. I'm so sorry, love."
Link's gaze remained uncomfortably blank as he held the shocked Teleli in a tight embrace.
"No...no..." Teleli sobbed into his chest. "It's not true, it can't be!"
Navi flew close to Teleli and sat on her shoulder.
"There, there, honey.."
"What happened to them?" asked Saria, whose eyes were sparkling with tears.
"The one called Azeba seemed to have been killed by a desert cobra's bite to the throat."
Navi faltered as Teleli sobbed harder into Link's tunic. Link's face was pinched with emotion.
Navi sniffled and continued, "I'm not sure how the cellkeeping warrior Yadira died, though. All I know is that when the cook asked two guards how she was doing, they burst into tears."
"Now that mad woman is running all over Hyrule trying to hunt Teleli down..."
"Oh, no," whispered Saria. "We have to get Teleli elsewhere!"
"This is the safest place for her right now," said Link softly as he carressed his crying lover's long, messy hair. "We've got to get some food, though. Saria, love, will you warp to the forest and find-"
"Way ahead of you, dear." Saria gave an encouraging little grin and disappeared in a bright flash of emerald sparkles.
Link pulled Teleli to a sitting position and held her tightly.
"I'm sorry, my love. I'll keep you safe no matter what. Til I breathe my last breath."
"My sisters...why? Why, though?" Teleli wiped her tears on the back of her hand.
Link couldn't help but look at her.
Her makeup was all gone. Her exotic natural beauty was even more glorious without all that yellow eyeshadow and thick kohl. She was a born beauty.
"Darling, it's all going to be okay. They went against that bitch of a woman, Aveil. Their last breaths were defying her orders to hurt you. They're going to be okay. Their souls are within the statues of the Spirit Temple, watching over you. It'll all be fine."
Teleli buried her face in Link's neck. He wrapped his arms tighter around her.
Navi watched solemnly as they stayed that way for several minutes.
"I love you, Link."
"I love you, more."
xxx
The townspeople screamed into the morning air as Aveil smashed and sliced through their carts and carriers in rage.
"WHERE IS SHE?! I'LL HAVE HER HEAD ON A PIKE!"
"You madwoman!"
Aveil snarled at the young man, who yelped and fled into a building. She grabbed a fruit salesman by the collar of his white tunic and pulled his face an inch from hers.
"WHERE IS LINK?"
The man stuttered and gasped as Aveil shook her scimitar threateningly with her other hand.
"I-I-I don't know!"
"YOU LIE!" She sliced through the canvas roof of his cart. He screamed in terror.
A pregnant young woman, trembling, stepped into Aveil's view.
"Yevet, NO!"
"Please don't hurt my husband!" The woman balanced herself against the cart.
Aveil scoffed. "And what are YOU going to do? Throw your baby at me? HA!"
"You wanna fight someone, bitch?" said a voice from above.
Aveil looked up on the roof of a building to see Yuta, Ghanim, and two other Sheikah warriors. They jumped down, weapons brandished, all except Yuta who remained on the roof with her bow loaded toward Aveil's head.
Ghanim whipped out his bow and aimed it right into the mad Gerudo's face.
"Leave Link and Teleli alone."
"Says who, the disrespecful little Sheikah boy? Don't make me kidnap you again. I could use a personal little slave...and a handsome one, at that..."
Without warning, the Gerudo swung her sharp scimitar in Ghanim's direction, but he was too quick for her. He jumped over her head and knocked the scimitar out of her hand.
"Now!"
The other two young Sheikah males grabbed Aveil by her muscular forearms and tied her hands together from the back. She snapped and snarled at them like a raving dog.
"LET ME GO!" she shrieked as the townspeople cheered. Ghanim hopped up on the roof and kissed Yuta deeply, which made the people cheer even louder.
"I LOVE THIS WOMAN!" he laughed. Yuta smiled and kissed his cheek.
Ghanim looked down at Aveil, who was fighting with all her might to resist the two powerful Sheikah men that were carrying her onto a large gray Arabian stallion.
"Take her to the Shadow Temple and chain her to the wall."
xxx
Saria smiled at the couple as she watched them hungrily devour the mushroom stew and warm bread she'd brought from her friends back in the Forest. Teleli's face was streaked with dry tear marks, but she seemed to be in a better mood than she'd been in a few hours ago.
"How are you feeling, Teleli?"
The girl silently nodded in Saria's direction as she ate.
"What time is it?" asked Navi.
"It's about an hour til noon," said Saria as she started on a container of soup.
"Link, you need to rest," said Teleli after she softly kissed him on the cheek.
His face went hot as her tanned hand softly carressed his jawline.
"You're amazing...I never thought I'd love a man."
"Shhh.." He put a finger to her lips.
"I love you."
Teleli smiled. Link yawned through a smile. Saria removed the emerald cloak from her shoulders and folded it up into a square.
"Link, come, get some sleep. I'll be going now, Mido's giving the others grief over dumb things. I'll see you guys around. And Teleli?"
Teleli looked into the sea-deep eyes of the girl.
"It'll all be okay, love."
Teleli ran up and embraced the girl. "Thank you."
"Just keep your sun shining."
They smiled at each other. Saria waved and dissolved into emerald sparkles once again.
Link yawned and lay his head down on the cloak. He fell asleep smiling up at Teleli.
"Awww." Navi flew in and kissed his cheek.
She turned off her glow and sat next to Teleli.
"You know, I'm so glad you two ran into each other that morning."
"Me too, Navi. I'm so happy to have met you two. I love you both so much."
Navi looked at the Gerudo girl.
"Did you really just want to use him as a one-nighter though?"
Teleli closed her eyes and sighed.
"In the beginning, honestly, yeah. I didn't know love. It was something foreign to me. All I knew was men would spoil me and give me whatever I wanted as long as I gave them what they wanted. That's all I was taught.."
Navi nodded.
"But that night I just couldn't stop thinking about him! It was actually annoying!" she laughed.
"It annoyed me to think that my heart would give in to a man's charm! But Link...he's more than a man. He's special. I knew it from the beginning. I've been in love with him since our kiss at Lake Hylia, and I wouldn't ever have it any other way."
"Aww!" Navi squealed as she leaned against Teleli's knee.
Suddenly, Teleli heard loud grunting. She looked up at the hole and saw Darunia's hulk of a mass fall through and land curled up in a ball on the floor. She screamed in surprise.
"No Little Sister, do not be afraid of Old Darunia!" The large Goron laughed as he unrolled himself to a standing position. He looked behind them.
"Brother Link is asleep? Hah hah he is probably very tired, yes?"
Teleli nodded.
Darunia grinned widely at her.
"Don't be afraid of him, he's a great guy...erm..Goron," whispered Navi.
"Little sister, the Sheikah boy and his friends wanted Darunia to tell you and Brother Link that the evil Gerudo woman has been captured and locked up in the Shadow Temple."
Teleli gasped. Navi cheered and held up her tiny hand to Darunia.
"High five! Heheh...hey? Oh ok...guess not."
Darunia laughed.
"Big brother will get going now! You are safe, Little Sister. But be careful."
Darunia rolled up and out of the hole with surprising ease.
"It's still not safe, though. I feel it in my heart."
"I understand, love. Let's just stay here and wait til Link wakes up, and we'll see what he thinks. I mean I'm sure it's alright to leave this grotto, but we've gotta keep you indoors."
xxx
"You wanna lie to your friends and tell them I spit in your face, huh, bitch?"
Ghanim was an inch from Aveil's face.
"How does this feel?!" He spit right into her eye.
She snarled menacingly as she fought against the chains on her arms and legs.
"You'll be KILLED, you rotten little boy. You just WAIT."
Ghanim rolled his eyes as he linked arms with Yuta and slammed the door of the cell she was in. Yuta turned around once more and glared at the Gerudo through the barred window.
"Bitch."
"Let's go, Yuta."
"Where are we going now, my Ghanim?"
"I'll take you to the fanciest place in Hyrule."
"Where's that?"
"Keoni's Seafood Palace in Zora's Domain!"
"I love you."
Ghanim laughed as he pulled Yuta closer to him on their way out of the Temple and into the graveyard. Maybe she really wasn't as bad as he thought..
xxx
Link laughed as he watched Teleli's face go from excited to uncomfortable as Darunia lowered a flaming sword into his throat with ease. He pulled her closer and watched his Sworn Brother's eyes sparkle with laughter and excitement.
Today was the fifteenth birthday of Darunia's son, Link Jr., and the celebration was colorful.
Gorons circled the big pot in the middle of their city in a line dance while Darunia entertained his son, Teleli, Link, and Navi with fire-eating and other festivities.
Teleli could tell from the position of the sun over the mountain that it was now late afternoon. It was hard for her to enjoy the celebration with her fellow sisters on her mind. Azeba and Yadira were so young, now they were gone, partially because of her.
Because she'd fallen in love and happened to piss off Aveil by doing so.
She dreaded the return of King Ganondorf from their neighboring country, Lotower.
What would he do to her if he ever found her? What would he do to the Gerudo that defied Aveil? It would all be her fault if something happened to them.
"Love? You alright?" Link kissed her cheek.
"I'm fine...yeah.."
Link grabbed her hands and pulled them into his lap as he locked eyes with her.
Teleli's cheeks went pink. Link smiled broadly and leaned in close to her neck and kissed her softly.
"You're my princess, and the only princess I'll ever need."
Teleli couldn't help but smile at Link's happiness. It was contagious.
"I'm so happy I found you. You bring so much joy to my heart!"
Link kissed her forehead. "I feel the same, my angel."
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" the Gorons chanted. The couple went red.
Everyone laughed and continued celebrating as the sun began to glide further to the West.
xxx
"What?!"
"He's back. From Lotower."
"Already?!"
Sherim slowed his horse as his brother caught up with him.
"Yeah, Sher, I heard while I was in town! You know how all that stuff is going on between Link and his girlfriend? Well apparently there was a crazy Gerudo that was looking for them. Ghanim and his friends captured her, and somehow Ganondorf heard about it while abroad."
"Shit. I gotta tell Link. Gilad, I want you to stay with Malon, don't leave the ranch, got it?"
"Got it."
"Any idea where Link is?"
"Not a clue."
"Damn it. Guess I gotta look for him...wait...I think I know who to ask."
"Alright. I'm with Malon if you need me, bro."
Sherim nodded and headed for Kakariko. He entered the village and headed for the Potion Shop. And there, preening like a narcissistic cunt, was Keldiev.
"Um...hi."
"Hello, may I help you?"
Resist the urge, he told himself. No gay jokes today. Time to be serious.
"Erm...um...have you any idea where Link is?"
Keldiev nodded as he straightened up a stack of orders.
"I saw him on his way up Death Mountain before daybreak. Might want to check Goron City, perhaps? Or the Great Fairy?"
Don't say it, don't say it, thought Sherim as he bit his lip to prevent slipping.
"Thank you."
"Anytime!"
Sherim puffed as he exited the shop and looked up at Death Mountain.
"Well, this should be fun."
The young man blew his brunette curls out of his grape-green eyes as he began to make his way up the rocky trail. He dodged falling rocks and ran into Goron City for the first time in his life. He heard drumming and loud, deep voices chanting.
"I wonder who died."
Sherim descended the steps and found dozens of Gorons dancing in celebration.
He then spotted the figure in green with the Gerudo girl.
xxx
"Sherim? What are you doing here?"
"Come with me, quick!"
Link and Teleli excused themselves and followed Sherim to the staircase, where he sat down and caught his breath. The others also sat down.
"What's going on?"
Sherim looked at the couple, then exclusively at Teleli.
"Listen, um, Tel..tel.."
"Teleli."
"Teleli, right. Listen, your King is back from the kingdom of Lotower. He knows everything."
The Gerudo gasped. Link stood.
"Then what are we waiting for, we've got to get her out of Hyrule!"
"What about the grotto?" asked Navi.
"Ganondorf knows about it."
"You told me no one did!"
"I forgot, okay?"
"Great job, Hero."
"Guys!" cried Sherim. "Let's go, maybe the Sheikah can help disguise her or something."
Navi raised an eyebrow. "You serious?"
"Come on!"
xxx
"My love! Ganondorf, my treasure...is that you?"
"Yes, my darling, I am here."
Ganondorf blasted the door of the cell open with his dark magic, to reveal his lover, Aveil, chained to the wall, looking sick and angry.
"My dear..."
He broke the chains with his bare hands and pulled Aveil into a passionate kiss.
"You've found me! I thought I was going to die."
"Nonsense, my love, you know I wouldn't let that happen." He smirked.
"What do we do about Link and Teleli?"
Ganondorf's face broke into a sinister smile.
"We'll take care of them."
Aveil grinned manically.
"Sounds wonderful. Let's go."
xxxx