A/N) So yeah...sorry this took so long! I have really been putting this story off more and more. I get so bored because I have so many ideas for the ending, but it's the getting there that is really rough! So sorry for the cliffy last chapter. I had like half written up and then gave up the ghost! I don't know what's going on. I have decided that I am going straight to the birthday after this chapter! Because I can...time can pass with nothing monumental happening! Because I said so. It's fanfiction! Lol so yeah enjoy this and get ready for some stuff to really be picking up. Maybe skipping some time will make me really want to write this more!
Sheik jumped out of Link's arms, and both of them ran to Nolan, who was sobbing heavily now. Link drew the boy into his arms, while Aveil stood there completely dumbfounded. Sheik took her to the side "It's a long story. To shorten it, alternate universe, dead Gerudo, and you look like his mother."
Aveil was really confused now "He's not a Gerudo, though! How can his mother look like me?"
"Nolan, do you still have that Spirit stone on your person?" Sheik asked the crying boy.
Nolan sniffled, and nodded meekly. He reached into his bag, and grabbed his necklace with the stone on it. Ganon who had walked out, was quiet as he was intrigued as well. Nolan took the necklace, and slipped it around his neck. His body was consumed in a white light, and there stood a young Gerudo boy.
"My Goddess!" Aveil gasped.
The other women gasped in shock. This was the first time in the history of ever, there were two Gerudo men.
"He...he looks like a Hylian male, and yet here he stands, a Gerudo. Sweet child, come here." Aveil reached out towards Nolan. The boy ran to her, and she embraced him "I'm so sorry if my appearance causes you distress, but do know if you need anything, any of these women will aid you."
"Thank You Miss Aveil. I know you aren't my mother, but the initial shock hurt me. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
Link quirked a brow, a habit from Sheik. The way Nolan now, walked, talked, and conversed with the women was strange. Everything about him changed, and it wasn't the stone. It was all Nolan. It was like being around the Gerudo, brought out his natural instincts to act the way he was originally taught.
"You should meet my daughter!" One of the women yelled. Then they all began to argue.
"Your daughter is too old! My daughter is around his age."
"No way! Aveil's daughter deserves him!"
The arguments began to escalate, and Nolan backed away from the crazy women. He squeaked, when his back crashed against Ganon's leg "Oh, I'm sorry Lord Ganon. Forgive me."
"Not a problem." He picked Nolan up, and looked him over "Magnificent! You look like me when I was your age. Except...braided hair, must be from your Sheikahn father. Ladies, please!" The women immediately went quiet "This little one has a girl in mind already. A half Sheikah child."
There was a collective 'awww' of disappointment from the women, but they backed off. Ganon then turned his attention back to Nolan "I still can't get over this magic. Is it through this stone?"
"Yes, it was stolen from the temple of spirit in Termina. It was enchanted when I was born tan but blonde. After using it's power, three giants took three stones, and the fourth was left in my possession, so it's powers couldn't be misused in Termina again."
"Fascinating. Heroes...may I borrow your child to hear of his tales. I promise he will be alright. I wouldn't dare face down Link's wrath again. I heard of your loss, my condolences. We will hold a feast tonight in Mido's honor, do a dance to honor his spirit, and help him on his path to being reborn."
Link deliberated internally. Eventually, he acquiesced. Ganon seemed sincere, and knew better than to cross Link, and more importantly, the newly over protective Sheik. "Be good for Ganon, Nolan."
"Best behavior dad, I promise. Love you dad, love you papa."
"Love you too." Link and Sheik said in unison, as Nolan was carried off by Ganon, and was talking to him animatedly.
"Link..." Sheik turned to look at his blonde hero .
Link turned to Sheik, and sighed "You feel it too, huh?"
Sheik nodded, and mimicked the sigh "He is a Gerudo. This is what he is used too, and they would take excellent care of him. I know, I just got used to being a father, but this is right for him."
"We do a good job too! But," Link paused, trying to think of the right words "seeing him naturally slip into that mode, and the happiness on his face, is worth more than our own feelings "
"This is why you make an excellent father, Link. We can still come and see him."
Link nodded sadly "Yeah, I guess we could."
This was the hardest part of being a parent. To put your child, and their needs, above your own. Even if you really don't want to, and Link didn't. Seeing Nolan like that, and looking so happy with Ganon, was like a knife in the heart. Sheik and Link did their best, and raised Nolan the best way they knew how for the short time they had him. But he was a Gerudo, and should be raised like one. They were both two teenagers trying to raise a child. The Gerudo women had an entire village to help raise the boy. It looked like an obvious choice.
"We should give him the option. You know how he hates when we try to make decisions for him." Sheik said.
"Yeah, but we already know what he will say."
"Then we steel our hearts, and be joyous for him hero. I don't like the thought either, but it's what's best for him."
"I know. I just never expected it to hurt this damn bad."
"Neither did I."
"Anju, please go lie down." Kafei begged his wife.
"Kafei, I'm pregnant, not helpless. I'm hardly even showing yet."
"I just want you to be comfortable." He whined.
Anju sighed heavily. Gods love Kafei, sometimes he was too over bearing. She went to sit, while he put up the rest of the maternity items away. Princess Zelda had been kind enough to give them everything Anju would need, as her pregnancy progressed. She was trying to put it up, but Kafei came in and flipped his lid seeing her work. "I'm going to get fat if I can't move Kafei."
"Nonsense. It's all baby."
"There is a difference between baby weight and plain fat there, genius." A woman said walking in. She gave a wave "I'm doctor Merit. Head medical personnel here at the castle, and heard we have a pregnant lady here."
"Yes, that's me. My name is Anju. That's my husband Kafei. He means well. It's nice to meet you." Anju said.
Anji was walking in the room, but squeaked when she saw the creator of nightmares.
"Hello Anji." Merit said with a wicked grin. The doctor wasn't a bad person. She just came off as harsh. She had a big heart, but seldom few ever saw that side of her. She didn't remember all the years of war and death, but she sure came off as if she did.
"D-doctor..." Anji replied, walking over to her mother.
"So, I will be in charge of all of your prenatal care. I'm afraid to say I don't actually have a lot of knowledge when it comes to birthing babies. I plan on finding a reputable midwife in Castle Town, but when it comes to all the technical crap, I'll be in charge."
"Thank you very much, Dr. Merit." Anju said with a kind smile.
"Back to you, daddy." The doctor said turning to Kafei "I know you care for your wife, but you can't make her rest. It's bad for her, and the baby. Let her be up and active as long as she can be. Enjoy the family you have now, and get ready to add on to it."
Kafei nodded taking in her advice. Maybe he was coddling Anju too much. He loved his wife, and only wanted the best for her. She hadn't gotten pregnant after Anji, and the fear of her being barren was heartbreaking. He and Anju had already had so much suffering, that he didn't want her to lose this baby. Women do know best, and she knew her limits. He should trust her more. He walked over to his wife and daughter, and hugged them both "I'm sorry girls. I just love you all so much. I guess I get over protective sometimes. Let's go to the town and look around."
Anji jumped Up "Yeah! We can find a present for Uncle Sheiky's birthday!"
"After I examine your wife!" Merit said loudly "Anju, was it? Would you come with me so we can get an expected due date and check your vitals?"
"Yes, of course." Anju said, getting to her feet "You two get ready. We will be right back."
"Be safe sweetheart." Kafei said, kissing her forehead. He waited until she had walked out, and then turned to his daughter with a smile "Come on Anji let's go raid the kitchen!"
"I bet they have strawberries for the upcoming birthday!" The girl said with a giggle.
Two sets of red eyes stared at one another.
Kafei grinned "Race you?"
"I know secret passages, daddy! It's on!"
As soon as Anju turned the corner with the doctor, and oblivious to her husband and daughters antics, the two Sheikah were sprinting down the hall.