'Let's check our maps, I know a shorter way out of the desert', Naima extended an old scroll onto a table. Zelda did the same, both women chattering about expedited routes and how they can benefit the economy.
The Elder observed her daughter, her eyes then drifting towards the young man in green next to the Queen of Hyrule. She had observed him long enough to realize he was struggling to hide his affections for his liege.
She followed him, after he left the room without a reason.
'Young man, you seem troubled', she said, to catch his attention. 'I have been watching you since this morning, you see'.
He was startled, turning to see the senior woman.
'No, it's nothin' Elder Nabooru', he said nervous.
'Young man, it is alright if you do not want to tell me', she assured him, 'I was only going to make you a small offer'.
His interest was piqued.Why would Elder Nabooru take any interest in me?, Link thought.
'What would that be, ma'am?', he inquired.
'I would like to read your fortune, son', Elder Nabooru explained. 'or at least, that's what I want you to tell your beloved Queen'.
'What do you mean?', he asked her, completely puzzled.
'We Gerudo do not practice such things', she affirmed, 'and you are in love with Queen Zelda'.
Link was as frozen as a wall from Snowpeak, even in the middle of the desert.
She laughed at the scared look on his face. 'To an old, experienced woman like me, it is quite obvious. Your Queen, though, has no idea whatsoever'.
Link sighed in relief.
'Let's go to my garden', the Elder suggested. 'Din knows we better stay away from Naima's earshot… she is such a tattler'.
They arrived to a small gazebo with palms and potted succulents with bright colored flowers. They seated silently on a bench.
'I don't want her to know', he confessed after a moment of silence, 'it's very likely I'll be rejected… she just sees me as a friend'.
'Young man, you underestimate yourself greatly, despite being a legendary hero!', she declared, 'I bet all the greys in my head you have more people after you than grains of sand in the desert!'
Link laughed nervously.
'I don't think so, ma'am', he answered, shaking his head. 'Besides my recruits, that's it'.
'Your brothers-in-arms clearly don't count', she noted.
He chuckled.
'I'll give you an honest to the Goddesses piece of advice, young Link, although I barely know you'. She looked at the horizon. 'don't struggle so much'.
'What do ya mean, ma'am?'
'I believe your feelings sooner or later will reach your Queen', she explained, with a smile. 'If you are patient enough, you will receive an unexpected reward. I am not blind, you see. Just as I saw your affections towards her, I saw her feelings. Such a rational woman like her can have a harder time getting acquainted with the matters of the heart'.
Link's face lit up at her words.
So there's hope for me, after all.
'But do not despair, for it will only lead to bad choices', she reassured him. 'Rumor says you turned into a wolf while the demon king attacked Hyrule'.
'As strange as it seems, it's true ma'am', he affirmed. 'It was the work of Twili magic'.
'Well, wolves are smart hunters. They wait for the right time to pounce on their prey'. She made a sly grin. 'if you do it right, she will be delighted you'll end up pouncing on her,if you know what I mean'.
Link looked certainly puzzled. Then he realized what she meant, his face turning bright red.
'Young love is so charming', the Elder laughed, getting up from her seat. 'let's go back with your Queen, she may think I am trying to convince you to stay here and marry you to any of my other daughters'.
He followed the elder, trying to erase from his mind the not so innocent images brought to his mind