Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda. If I did, I'd make Keapora Geabora disappear like a magician. POOF! gone!
K'ger: Hi readers! Sorry about not updating on time yesterday, there's this thing called "shopping" and it takes my family, like, four hours to shop!
Shout out to Link'sLily! Her story ATL doesn't get near as much attention as it deserves! Go, go, go readers! Read her story!
Anyway, here's the chapter!
A hero gets unexpected news
You still ok? Not woozy? Link asked, glancing over at Malon as they trudged up a steep dirt path, they could hear a thrum of noise ahead of them, signifying that they were nearing the fortress.
"I'm fine, Link. Would you stop worrying?" She responded, looking over at him with a tired expression. Link looked at Malon carefully, although her complexion was still pale, her eyes and hair were almost radiant, with sparkling flecks of sapphire in her eyes and the bright sunlight setting her hair agleam.
You nearly fainted, Mal. How can I not worry?
"Shh! Be quiet!" She hissed, pushing her shoulder into his and steering him toward the right valley wall. Be quiet? I wasn't even talking out loud in the first place!
They crouched behind a rock, taking shelter in the dark shadow it cast as two Gerudo warriors rode hastily in their direction. One held a drawn scimitar, the other brandished a bow, one arrow notched and another gritted between her teeth.
"They can't have gotten far, we'll catch them for sure." The one with the scimitar stated, pulling her horse back into a slow trot.
"We'd better, or Mistress Naboru will have our heads. We can't let Hylians into the fortress."
They know we're here.
The horses stopped all of a sudden, ears flicking back-and-forth as if trying to detect something they couldn't see. The Gerudo warriors both looked down at their steeds, unsure of what was happening for a moment. Their gazes' hardened as they too started to look around.
"They're here somewhere, the horses can sense them."
Link and Malon shrunk even further behind the rock, praying to the goddesses above that they wouldn't get caught. Link gently put a hand on her back, keeping his eyes on the Gerudo.
"There's one of them!" the Gerudo guards shouted, their horses jumping forward. Link grabbed Malon by the waist and pulled her tightly into his side, using his own body for protection, preparing to be grabbed, or for a blade to cut into his flesh.
Several minutes passed, and nothing happened, the only sounds were their nervous breaths, his ghosting over Malon's neck. What's going on? Where did they go?
Link carefully lifted his frame away from Malon and looked over his shoulder. The Gerudo horses were pacing along the edge of the ravine, their riders shouting rude words and shooting arrows at someone on the other side.
Jack was seated atop a large dun horse, with a black mane and tail. The horse jumped out of the way of an arrow and tossed its angular head.
Where did Jack get a horse? Link wondered, watching as Jack started laughing at the arrow.
"Whoa, might want to work on your aim, ladies!" Jack taunted, spurring his horse around the rust-colored plateau.
Malon, now's our chance, go! Go! Link urged, pulling Malon up from her crouch by the shoulders and pushing her further up the path. As they rounded a sharp bend, the path widened out into a colossal bowl. What looked to be hundreds of small, adobe style houses were built into the cavernous walls, several were so high up that the only way to access them was by ladder.
As they took a few more steps forward, they were hit with the over-powering and acrid scent of iron, the Gerudo were obviously well versed in the art of metalworking. Shining iron ornaments hung above almost every door, delicately shaped birds flying in flocks or horses caught mid-stride or even what looked to be fire-breathing dragons. Link guessed that the ornaments designated rank among tribe members.
He could hear a faint pounding sound, most likely a hammer being brought down on an anvil.
Malon looked around unsurely, her blue eyes brimming with worry and apprehension. At that moment, as Link looked over in her direction, he felt something strange, an entirely new emotion. She looked almost…fragile. He suddenly felt an intense need to protect her, a desire to wrap her in his arms and act as a shield. Her shield.
He resisted the urge, the behavior would be considered odd by the Gerudo, and would completely ruin their disguises, instead, he patted her shoulder softly and motioned with his head that she follow as he strode, as confidently as he could, into the fortress.
Several Gerudo were milling around the encampment, some were sharpening weapons, while others' could plainly be heard bartering for different items. Link slowed for a moment, deciding which direction to go. One gateway intrigued him, a tall archway bore a metal insignia of three horses and riders, all three riders brandishing bows and arrows.
Lets try up there. He said, motioning again for Malon to follow him as he made his way toward the arch. None of the Gerudo seemed the least bit interested in them, and didn't pay them even a passing glance.
As they hiked up a steep incline, a shrill whinny came from above them, followed closely by the voices of two Gerudo.
"Would you settle down?" One voice cried.
"Stupid horse! Calm down!" Another shouted. Malon cringed as a loud cracking sound followed, and the horse whinnied again.
They crested the hill, at the top was a large horse stable, a single row of stalls stood across from them, several dun horses like the ones they had seen the night before were housed in the stable. In front of the stable, tied to a thick vertical post was an enormous red horse, with a shimmering white mane and tail. The horse reared up, fighting her ropes and striking the post with enormous hooves.
"Epona." Malon breathed, reaching forward and gripping Link's shoulder for support. Link could hear her breath hitch inside her throat as one of the Gerudo raised a long black whip above her head and sent it flying toward Epona.
But Epona thought quickly, and jumped to the side, wrenching her head from the rope halter that had restrained her. She jumped into the air victoriously and bolted in Link and Malon's direction, hooves sending great chunks of earth flying as she galloped, free of the whips reach.
Malon let go of Link's arm and stepped directly into Epona's path. Link went pale as the enormous mare continued to charge, threatening to trample his fiancé.
But to his great amazement, Epona skidded to a halt mere seconds before reaching Malon. Link could see their eyes meet, and watched as Malon put out a gentle hand and stroked the mare's nose.
"That's my good girl." He could hear her whisper, Epona leaned into her soft palm, nickering softly in pleasure of her master's company.
"Hey, let go of that horse! That horse belongs to his Royal Highness, Ganondorf!" One of the Gerudo shouted, running over to them and waving an angry fist, the other Gerudo following closely behind her.
They stopped five feet away from Link and Malon, and gave them unsure stares, their amber eyes narrow in skepticism.
"Who are you? I don't recognize you." The first Gerudo snarled, she reached back and gripped a large bow that was strapped over her shoulder.
Malon fumbled with her words for a moment, unsure of what to say, but, to her relief, she didn't even have to come up with an excuse.
Link snuck behind the Gerudo, a rock in his hand, and as the Gerudo sensed him, he rammed the rock against the back of her head, knocking her unconscious. The other Gerudo tried to attack him, but instead, Epona struck out with a huge back hoof.
"Wow." Malon uttered, clutching both hands to her chest.
Epona whickered and nuzzled her shoulder, sniffing her softly. She suddenly pulled away, and let one ear drop.
You smell different. She neighed softly. The ear pricked up again, and she swung her massive head around to look at Link, reaching forward and sniffing his shoulder. After sniffing him for a minute, she swung back over to Malon, her eyes had a glint of some kind of knowledge, like she knew an inside joke.
You smell like him. His scent is all over you. What have you been doing while I was gone? She snorted, Link and Malon exchanged confused glances.
What on earth are you-? Oh, never mind! We don't have time for this, lets go. Romani isn't here. Link sighed, turning and motioning for the both of them to follow him back down the incline and into the fortress.
As they made it back to the main area of the fortress, Malon spotted a strange looking tent near a large gate at the opposite side of the fort.
"That looks interesting, maybe we could find some info in there? I feel like I'm almost…drawn to it." Malon whispered, Link nodded and started for the tent, Epona walking nonchalantly beside them.
Malon grimaced softly as they neared the tent, a disgusting scent was emanating from it, a mixture of fresh iron and an unknown scent, almost like burning flesh. She stopped and put a hand to her mouth.
Link noticed she wasn't beside him just before he reached the tent entrance, he looked over his shoulder and, when he saw her holding a hand over her mouth, jogged back over to her side, a look of worry on his face.
Malon? Are you ok? He asked, putting a hand on her shoulder and peering into her eyes.
"I feel sick, I think it's that scent." She groaned softly, Link tightened his grip on her shoulder.
Would you rather stay out here? I can look for info on my own. He suggested, looking back toward the tent.
"Oh, no. I-I think I'm alright now." She stammered, pulling out of his grip and walking toward the tent again.
They entered the tent, Epona staying behind, and Malon gave another pained groan, the scent was even worse inside.
It was dark, with ratty fabric walls that you could practically see through. Link noticed two dragon-shaped incense holders on the floor, evidently, that was where the scent was coming from.
Link and Malon jumped, startling each other as a different voice spoke.
"Oh, look sister, it seems Naboru didn't find the intruders." The voice said, it was a worn voice, cracking with age. If Link squinted, he could faintly make out two small, hunched human shapes in front of him and Malon.
Two old women were seated on a stack of what he could only guess were carpets.
"Yes, because they've found us." Another crackling voice responded. Malon moved closer to Link as the two old women started to laugh hysterically.
It's ok Malon. I'm here. Link said to her soothingly, reaching down and taking her hand in his.
"Oh my, now I understand!" The first voice cackled.
"As do I, sister!"
Malon gripped Link's hand, he could feel a faint layer of sweat on her delicate fingertips.
"Now I understand why I sensed three souls, three heartbeats, but only two bodies!"
Malon glanced at Link, completely bewildered, he gave her a similar look in return.
"And do you two know why that is?" The two voices asked in excitedly.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Malon asked, gripping Link's hand even tighter.
"Well, dearie, it does have something to do with you."
Link and Malon shifted around, both getting a bad feeling about the two old women. Link could feel Malon's heartbeat through her fingers, fast and hard. He hoped that she wasn't feeling sick again.
"So, who gets the honors? Should I tell them? Or do you want to?"
"Hmm…I think you should tell them, Kotake dear, you do have such a way with words."
"How about we both tell them!" The one they assumed was named Kotake proclaimed.
There was a flash of motion, and both old women were standing mere feet from them, they were in fact quite short, their heads only reached Link's knee. They glared at him with knowing looks in their shining crimson eyes. They both pointed wrinkly green fingers at Malon.
"She's pregnant! That's why we could feel three heartbeats and three souls, but only two bodies! Because on of the souls' rests inside of that one!" They exclaimed, dancing around the room in a bizarre manner.
"What?" Malon demanded almost inaudibly, Link glanced over at her, her complexion was even paler than it had been earlier, and beads of sweat were dripping off of her brow. But her eyes were what pained Link, they were wide with shock, and a mixture of alarm and fear and shame filled her beautiful blue irises.
They can't be serious Mal! They're just trying to play with our heads! Make us weak! He insisted, not believing his own words. In truth, it made sense, the way she seemed almost fragile, her illness, her increased nerves, it put all the puzzle pieces together and they were stuck with a completed picture that was a little less than welcome.
"Well, this was fun, but alas, back to business! NABORU! GUARDS! WE FOUND THE INTRUDERS!" They screeched, Link grabbed Malon by the wrist and drug her out of the tent, Epona reared up as a group of Gerudo soldiers descended upon her, grabbing at her coat and trying in vain to tie ropes around her neck. Link knocked a few of the soldiers away and, taking Malon by the waist, swung onto the mare's back.
Epona whinnied and surged forward as soon as they were on her back, skidding around the sharp bend in the path and heading for the gates. She squealed and Malon screamed as a large dun horse collided with Epona. The mare fumbled with her footing for a few moments before being steady on her feet again. Looking up from Epona's mane, Link could see that the horse was none other than Jack's, and Jack was still seated upon it.
"Jack? You idiot! You nearly killed us!" Malon snarled hoarsely, glaring at him. He smirked at her.
"It was boring over there, so I thought I'd come and see if there was any treasure around here, and look what I find, a gem and a dung heap." He snorted in reply, his stallion shifted beneath him, hooves beating on the dusty ground.
Both horses jumped and bolted forward a few feet as an ear-shattering crash echoed through the valley, Link cursed inwardly as he glanced toward the Gerudo gates. They had just been closed.
"Jack! You just got us stuck in here you idiot!" Malon yelled, bristling in Link's arms.
"Oh, don't get your revealing knickers in bunch, Mally! There's another gate."
Jack kicked his stallion forward and galloped into the fortress. Epona followed closely behind. As they followed Jack, Link's mind wandered for a moment. Pregnant. Was Malon really pregnant? If so, what were they supposed to do? They weren't married yet.
They could see the gates ahead of them, they were tall and made of thick metal, the bottom end was comprised of very sharp, very wicked looking points. Something they would probably do best to avoid.
"Hey! The intruders are headed for the gates into the forbidden desert! Close the gates!" A soldier cried as the two horses sped toward the gates.
There was a resounding smash, and the gates slammed shut.
Epona and the stallion sprinted into the piercing yellow dunes beyond, free of the Gerudos' wrath.
One Gerudo warrior approached Naboru, who was watching the horses disappear beyond.
"Should we go after them, Mistress Naboru?" She asked. Naboru shook her head.
"No, they're as good as dead in there anyway…"
K'ger: Welp, there you go, one bombshell served well-done. So, Malon's pregnant and everyone's headed into the forbidden desert huh? Well, you're gonna have to wait for Wednesday for the next chapter, and I wish you all a good weekend! And still no details about Romani?! I'm terrible!
Also, faithful readers, there's a very important poll on my profile page, and I need you all to vote, vote, vote!
Finally, another character song!
Malon:
Love runs out by OneRepublic.