Link didn't know where the time went once he was back inside the city. Despite wearing the voe outfit, he wasn't shunned or thrown out. The women here welcomed him. Some agreed to teach him how to speak their language and others asking for lessons in Hylian Cooking. Even when he claimed to have only self taught skills, the meals he made when given the ingredients were a hit among the tribe. At least, they were enough of a hit to have many leave and days later come back with supplies for him to make more. At some point during his recovery, he agreed to teach the recipes but didn't really recall when he promised cooking lessons. Link chalked it up to someone asking him when he was barely awake. Since then, he teaches a Hylian Cooking class once a week. There was also to be an engagement party for him and Riju. The young queen planned it during his recovery and today was that day.

Engagement Party

Chapter 2

He was being helped into a garment based off Ganon of all people. The hero didn't complain though. It wasn't that bad in taste really. The fabric was still light so he wouldn't be sweating in the heat to come. It was a simple but classy blue button up with his champion symbol on the back. Loose blue pants with simple blue shoes encased in gold. It really was all he had on outside his undershorts. His hair had been put back up with a gold band in blue. When Link signed to them his question as to why the entire outfit had to be blue. The response had his pride skyrocket. The two women told him that Riju made this personally for him to wear should he ever agree to be hers. It was tailored under supervision and made sure he could wear it. Ruji wished to show the world that she would be proud to stand next to the Champion of Hyrule.

This was the second time a woman took the time to make him an outfit by hand. Mipha made the Zora armor for him. Now, Ruji got help in making this for him. Hell, she apparently had two gifts. This was only the first. The second will be given later at the party. Link would arrive with her and they would mingle until it was time she announced her engagement to him. The two left to help set the remaining traditions up and he looks himself over in the mirror. Under the clothes, the hero could still count scars. The burn marks, cuts and stab wounds from 100 years ago and the latest wounds before and after calamity Ganon. Only two somehow managed to hit his face and it happened before his 100 year sleep. Amazing how a single incident can change how one defends themselves. Looks were never something he cared about, even his own. Link knew his entire body could be hurt but should he lose his head.

The hero looks away. Had he lost his head at any time, there would have been no recovery. The close calls were bad enough and wounds below could be healed with time and medicine. A headless body is just death. Defend the body all he could but prioritize the head and lungs. Legs, arms...anywhere else can be handled after the battle. A knock caused Link to jump and reach for a weapon as he turned. A Gerudo guard staring at him with her spear in one hand.

"Queen Riju is here." She moves and Riju walks in.

Link normally saw her in the typical Gerudo skirt and top. It was the first time to see her actually dress in a longer skirt. So long that he couldn't see her feet. The top stayed the same as the color.

"I am so glad it fits. You have no idea how much it hurt after I made this all for you." She gently made sure it was all in place. "I can't wait to give your last gift to you today. I made sure to invite everyone I could to this event. I even got a hold of that fish friend of yours. Sidon I believe but due to the extreme heat, he can't make it."

Link smiles, signing: 'I figured. He is a fish. They need water.'

"True, we can visit after though if you want. For now, Hylians, Guerdo...I think some Gorons came. I wonder if they actually have any gender though. A question I will have to ask another time." She put a hand on her hip. The other was near her mouth. "Regardless, their gender aside. It's time we head to the location. It's in the main town. It's the only way to fit everybody."

Riju fixed his clothes again.

"The only way to show you off to the world." She winks at him, laughing at his blushing face. "Now, let's meet our public my dear."

The young queen hooks an arm around his own. Link let her lead the way out of his room. Soon, he would be in her chambers so he would have to learn how to share a bed. Throughout his travels, he didn't often get a bed. Nature wasn't the best bed but sometimes being broke meant sleeping in grass or a tree. Once he cleared the area of any annoying ChuChus or Bokoblins. Honestly, it always annoyed him when one just happened to find him actually asleep and scream in his face. Hell, the Yiga Clan were the same. Always laughing whenever he just happened to wake up to a blade over his torso. The thought of his troubles made their presence in his expression. Riju poking his cheek has that change. Being told to smile and not think about memories that ruin their moment. He agreed and promised to tell her after the party. It was the least he could do.

Leaving the simple palace, Link and Riju walk down to the large Central Courtyard. Hylians, Gerudo and Goron alike clapping as they made their way down the stairs and into the crowd. He spotted Zelda in the mix and instantly knew she would head straight to him. Letting his fiance go her own way, he walked to a private location. Two Gerudo Guards following him now out of protocol for protecting Royalty. The hero didn't mind. Considering the last time he spoke to Zelda was after she claimed he slacked off on her. He would need them to possibly hold himself back. On Que, Zelda was in his face.

"So you ran off to the Gerudo Queen? Let me guess, you are going to swear fealty to her now aren't you? Abandoning me and your post for power are we? Did your travels make you grow tired of lacking power that much you would abandon me?" The princess asks.

Link stays quiet. He knew she had more to say. Zelda always did.

"After all we did before the Calamity. Did it mean nothing to you? Did I mean so little to you?" The scholar asks, clearly upset. "Say something!"

He took his chance then.

"I did my job in protecting you back then. I did all I could to gain my strength back after I slept for over a 100 years so I could aid you. The picture you saw of me and Riju was during a week I was severely injured and overheated after a fight with Moloduga, a desert whale. Yes, I grew attached to the Queen but not to her power." Link explains then held up a finger. "I am not done. I never once slacked off after. I was careful and I made my way at last to you. You said you saw all my battles but I guess you must have ignored me when I was injured. I do care about you Zelda but not the way you want me too."

"You mean...you...didn't…"

"I didn't love you the way you wished me to love you. My feelings toward you were that of a good friend. I value your mind, your spirit and your desires but I didn't feel any romantic feelings for you." Link says walking by her but stopping. "Mipha made me feel the way I feel around Riju. I always felt so calm and at peace. When I heard she died, I blamed myself but due to my memory loss I couldn't remember why I loved her or how I fell for her. I just know I did."

He slowly turns and looks at Zelda's back. She turned to face him as well.

"Riju did what Mipha would have done. The Zora armor she made was meant to be an offering for a relationship but the dead can't be brought back. You know this." Link looks to where the party was at and spots Riju. "I fell in love with a Queen, not with her power and I want to stay at her side for as long as she wishes me too."

Riju caught him staring and waves. He waves back to her.

"I am going to head back. I hope you enjoy this event." He bows and walks away. The guards followed him back to Riju. "Hey."

"I saw Zelda follow you." The queen crossed her arms, a smirk on her face. "Is she upset I managed to snag the Champion?"

Link gives her a cheeky grin and with one hand on his hip and one hand; palm out towards her says: "is someone boasting?"

She puts her hand in his, "Only cause I know I didn't just snag his mind but his heart." The queen then snaps her fingers and a large box carried by four Gerudo women is brought out and carried straight to him.

The package wasn't actually as big as he first saw it. The box was medium sized for sure. Securely wrapped with only a bow on top of the plain white box. Riju pulled him closer and moved away after giving him a simple sword. With a gesture from only her arms, he uses the sword to cut the ribbon off. Taking notice that small holes had been poked through the top. Carefully touching the white lid, Link kept a calm grip on the knife. The young queen had a thrill for pranks. If this was one, then it was definitely over the top. What was in this box? Maybe it was a Bokoblin or a Mobolin. No, the box would be too small and it would be moving back and forth. Slowly and with Riju begging him to just open, Link threw the lid off. Knife at the ready as he looked in...at a baby fennec fox.

"Do you like him?" Riju spoke, watching the champion pick the baby up. "It isn't much but I hope he can bring you company should you wish to travel again."

Link held the fox close. Looking towards her with a warm smile.

"I love him. Thank you." He said, petting the fox in his arms. "I think I'll name you Blaze."

The fox snuggles against him. Riju stated that most Fennec Foxes were nocturnal. His friend would be up in the middle of the night. It was another reason why she got him one. Should Link ever leave and have no place to sleep. Blaze would keep guard of him at night. Link kissed her cheek. Thanking her for the loyal friend. He would still need to figure out how to stay warm properly in the desert. So far, his bed went from one blanket to a pile. All varying in thick material to stay warm. Riju did all she could to help him stay warm. They would be moving his blankets to her chambers once they were married too. His old room would house his gear. At least, the gear he knew he could stay away from. The Hylian Shield and Master Sword were always at his side. A means of protection for any he cared for.

"Everyone, thank you for coming." Riju spoke up, breaking his thoughts. "As you can see our Champion and I have something to tell everyone."

She looks at Link for a second and nods. Turning to face the crowd once again.

"We are engaged to be married." She announced.

Hylians and Gorons clapped for joy alongside the Gerudo. Only Zelda seemed to clap, lightly. The crowd cheered and congratulated the two on their union. The princess of Hyrule kept eyeing the two but Link paid her no mind. Riju led him around and he let her. He was just happy to finally find peace of mind.