Urbosa eyed Zelda as they listened onto the ramblings of the passing Gerudos. All this was to ensure the princess knew how to deal with the court, that way she could have a good head's start when it came to her own time as ruler after Calamity Ganon's defeat. But there was something bugging the girl that Urbosa couldn't quite place her finger upon and yet it was so easy to figure out at the same time.

She snapped her fingers inwardly, realizing what it was. She couldn't help but allow her signature smirk to form as her attention turned back to the current Gerudo addressing her discomfort with the way the men walked outside of the town to show off their looks— Urbosa couldn't care less.

The Chief held up her hand. "Enough," she commanded. "I'll look into the manner and set up some new rules for you. I agree with how it can become a bit too creepy. You can rest easy for the night."

"Thank you, Lady Urbosa." the Gerudo smiled before turning her heels to walk away, feeling much more relaxed than she had been beforehand.

Urbosa glanced at the girl beside her. "Do you want to talk about it? I can tell something is bothering you, little bird."

Zelda jerked in surprise. "I didn't think you could tell."

"Silly girl!" Urbosa laughed heartily as she signaled for the guards to keep the next one from wandering in until she was ready to see them. Immediately, they were alone and could be able to have their conversation alone. "I practically raised you. Now, what's on your mind?"

"It's Link," admitted Zelda, clutching her hands tightly. "He's taken care of two Yigas thus far— one we ran into before we even entered the desert and he was like another man. Like a monster was unleashed. I never saw him with that look in his eyes before. It worried me."

"The boy knows how to fight," hummed Urbosa. "I have no doubt it's just his fighting side coming to light to protect you. He has to protect the whole world after all."

Zelda gritted her teeth, obviously it was picked up by Urbosa. "Sometimes we wish it didn't fall to us— we're just kids who were forced to grow up quickly after all. All to please the history that's looking down on us, waiting for our failure to make us laughing stocks, to stop our stories from being remembered."

Urbosa blinked, arching a brow. "What makes you think that?"

"Looking back at everyone else who once stood in our place— the pervious heroes and princesses— they managed to score a win without much fail," Zelda answered and Urbosa hummed in reply, trying to remember if she read about those previous ones in a book somewhere but couldn't think of anything, "— but Calamity Ganon has learned from them time and time again; who's to say we won't fail because he knows what to expect from us? We'll be the first ones to lose against him."

"And if you don't fail?" questioned Urbosa. "I highly doubt he knows of the Divine Beasts and Guardians. There's no room for failure in our minds and we won't fail. Revali will fight to his last breath for his friends, making all kinds of remarks as he does so; Daruk won't allow us to be injured with his protection, he'll keep our minds bright; Mipha will heal us whenever we're harmed; and I will always be here to protect us with my lightning. As will the Divine Beasts."

Zelda sucked in a sharp breath, finding it hard to fight against her words. "There's still a chance we could have the tables turned against us."

"We'll fight back if that happens," Urbosa promised, tightly gripping Zelda's hands. "Now, getting back to Link— he's just doing what comes naturally to him."

"He'll get himself killed. I assure you that."

Urbosa smirked as a chuckle escaped her throat, shaking her head. "He'll die protecting you. I swear to Hylia he doesn't hide what he feels so easily. But then again, it could just be me picking up on the signs."

"What signs?" Zelda asked, giving off a confused expression.

The Gerudo flicked her forehead. "You're oblivious to this, but that boy likes you, little bird. I can see it within his eyes each time he looks at you— it's the same way Julia and Rhoam looked at each other while she was alive and I can guarantee you, it wouldn't have changed if she was alive to this day."

"He likes me?" whispered Zelda, feeling her face flush up slightly before she swallowed the feelings down. "He doesn't."

"He does." Urbosa replied, a smug tone. "He doesn't like Mipha, nor any other girls, because a certain blond Commander has his eyes. I do believe she leads us, Champions."

Zelda wanted to laugh. How could Link like her when she pushed him away out of mere grief? She didn't even allow him any sort of explanation and treated him horribly throughout their childhood until this point. There was no way the Hylian Champion could feel anything for her concerning romance, especially when they didn't even know if they would be able to defeat their biggest threat. It felt like a cruel joke to her in some way— she never wanted to believe it.

There was just no way he would ever like her in that sense.

"You're being ridiculous," Zelda laughed, shaking her head. "Link doesn't like me that way or he would have said something to me."

Urbosa responded with her own laughter. "He wouldn't have. He's scared, little bird. You could easily send him to death or put him into exile. King Rhoam could sentence him to death if he hurts you. He wants to make sure this is behind you before anything is said at all between the pair of you." she winked as she watched Zelda's laughter die down.

"He doesn't…" Zelda tried weakly before realizing she couldn't say anything. "But I never saw anything close to love in his eyes." she protested weakly.

"Of course you didn't," Urbosa shrugged. "You never looked close enough."

Was the Gerudo right? Did she really miss the way Link looked at her? Zelda swallowed thickly when she realized she would have to speak with the Champion about this discovery, but then her heart tightened when she realized she would be forcing him to speak about something he never told her about nor had the courage to.

Until he felt comfortable, she would remain silent, she decided. It was better than forcing him to speak about a topic he wasn't comfortable with, or perhaps he would come to her about the topic himself.

"How do I… approach him about it?" she asked softly, eyes never leaving her lap. She had to know just in case she decided the wait was too long.

"That," Urbosa sighed heavily, "— is what I don't know. I never dealt with something like that before, little bird. I never dealt with love." she had in reality, but the one she liked had their eyes on someone else that she never approached the topic. "It'll come to you, I promise. But until then, keep being his friend. Maybe you'll see it within his eyes and decide your own feelings for him."

Zelda bit her lip. That sounded like it could work, and it would only do for the time being. With a heavy sigh, she nodded, not answering verbally as she didn't trust in her words at this time. Until she was sure of her own feelings towards the knight— the topic wouldn't be brought up between them. But deep down, she knew Urbosa would be rooting for the pair of them.

It was like a magical fairytale. The hero fell in love with the princess and vice versa, but it was so old at the same time; that it barely had any meaning anymore.

"You're right," she finally said after a few moments. "I'll take the time."

Urbosa waved towards the guards, sensing the conversation was over and done with, and spoke, "Bring in the next."

…

Link's feet ached the moment he returned back with the Guards. Nothing had gone wrong during their patrol. They had advised him to allow them to take the lead that way he wasn't being put into danger under Urbosa's orders to keep him safe during the first patrol with the Hylian, and while he didn't mind, he certainly wanted to see some action happening.

But he couldn't complain as they walked back into the town, he ignored the thought to head over to the Inn and sleep away until Zelda returned back to their room. He would have to inform her that he was okay.

A guard stopped him before he could go.

"Head over to the bar for a drink," she informed him with a nudge of her head much to his confusion. She handed him a bag of rupees. "Here, this will cover whatever you want— it's pretty much costing the same amount anyways."

"But I couldn't take this," Link replied. "I have my own money."

The guard shook her head. "Nope. Lady Urbosa's orders that you have a drink to cool yourself off since you can't handle the heat as well as we can. Just say your Lady Urbosa's friend and fellow Champion."

"And if they question which one?" asked Link, slightly worried.

"Please," another clicked her tongue. "As if Lady Urbosa would allow you to be thrown out. You'll just be dismissed. Might be warned before you're allowed back in by us. Nothing bad will happen to you."

Taking the bag filled with the money, Link turned around and began heading towards the bar, ignoring the way everyone looked at him, eyeing the sword on his back and he wanted to tell them to ignore how he looked— to ignore the way the Master Sword was proudly on his back. He had no doubt Urbosa told everyone the carrier was a male to answer their questions or she had kept it to herself to ensure if he ever had to sneak in, he wouldn't have to worry about it.

It still felt wrong to be doing this which was why he disliked the thought of cross-dressing as a woman to sneak into the town, but if Urbosa said it was okay for him to be doing, then he would do so.

He couldn't help but wonder if Daruk or Revali would have to do this.

But then again, there's no reason why the Rito or Goron would have to come into the town to speak with Urbosa; they would simply request her presence outside of the gates and speak with her that way to get their point across. Plus, their Champion Meetings had them speaking all the time with each other.

As he came across the bar, Link took a deep breath as he walked into the building, ignoring how three Gerudos were sitting on the couches, whispering to each other about the daily gossip as he turned his attention to the bartender who was in the middle of cleaning a glass. Hopefully he would be able to have something or it would suck being underage for drinking— what was the Gerudo's age drinking limit?

"Hey," he greeted her, watching as her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the sword and he swallowed, trying to keep his voice down to mask its masculinity.

"That sword…" the Gerudo mumbled, trying to wrap her mind around it before shaking her head, giving him the best smile she could that Link felt was forced slightly. But he didn't comment on it. "Aren't you a bit… young to be drinking?"

"I'm Urbosa's friend and fellow Champion," Link said, remembering what the other Gerudos said. "I think she mentioned something about me being allowed to drink here after a patrol? It's just what I heard though, I have no idea if it's true."

The Gerudo racked her brain before nodding. "Yeah, I got an order from Lady Urbosa to allow her fellow Champions to drink here despite their young age. You can't have much, but here's what I'm offering."

Link racked his eyes before the menu before sucking in a breath. All of these sounded like it could knock him out or make him too drunk for his liking, but he needed to order something to please the woman so she wouldn't be wasting her time on him and his dumb decision to stop himself.

When would be the next chance he got to drink alcohol anyways? It was slim and he wanted to enjoy the chance while he had it.

"Noble Pursuit," he ordered, placing the menu down. "How much?"

"I assume you were given the amount," she noted, smirking as she brought the beverage to him and he grinned sheepishly before he dropped the bag down.

As she walked away to check upon the others, he sighed heavily as he moved the cloth covering his mouth to the side to sip at the drink. It burned his throat— as it was to be expected the first time alcohol was taken— but he strangely liked the way it did; the coldness certainly helped with the heat of the town brought upon themselves and he couldn't help but wonder how the Gerudos managed to live within the burning heat all the time.

His eyes darted around to see a few Gerudos passing by the bar, some looked in, some kept their gazes down. It was a peaceful town and he hated how it was being threatened by the Yiga; how could anyone want to disturb these people? It was cruel in his eyes and he couldn't wait to chase them out.

When the bartender returned to wipe down the counter again, Link placed down the glass and took a deep breath.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked politely.

"Go ahead," she nodded in reply, barely glancing up at him, but just enough to let him know she was listening.

Link took a moment to decide his next few words. "The Yiga— how have they been affecting your business lately? Has anyone come in that looks like they could be a part of the Yiga Clan but just disguised themselves to fit in here?"

The bartender stiffened. "No," she replied honestly, eyes darting to the trio that always seemed to be in her business. Link could tell she was trying to figure them out now, judging them as if they were going to slit her throat. "Not that I know about."

"And them?" Link asked, nudging his head towards them.

"They've always been here," she answered hesitantly. "For what reason, I don't know. I'm sure they have jobs to do here— but I hardly see them leave and if I'm honest, I'm a bit worried myself. Just never had a reason to be so till now."

"I'd make some new rules," Link said, putting his honest input. "A new closing time and opening time to ensure no one gets past your eyes until you know for sure; maybe a password to get in here— something only true Gerudos know."

"Only a true Gerudo knows?" she echoed.

Link nodded. "Like a riddle. An answer to the riddle that slides in with Gerudo's history. Like who Vah Naboris was named after."

"That would be Nabooru. But everyone knows that."

Link shrugged as he took another sip of his drink, savoring the taste. "Well, how about this? What about the Gerudo's part in Ganon's history?"

She winced. "I rather not remind people we raised him, he was a part of our race. The first male Gerudo ever to live over the centuries of our time, and each time he dragged our name through the dirt. We, Gerudos, hate that."

"Just… something that Gerudos only knows," he advised, glancing at the trio again with uneasiness. "Just until the Yiga is dealt with, okay? It's only to keep you guys safe from any harm."

She nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah."

…

Zelda sighed heavily as she ran her hand through her hair, flipping through the book again before noticing Link coming towards her and Urbosa. The pair had chosen to take a small break in the Chief's chambers upstairs, while Urbosa looked out at the town drinking away, she had decided to skim through the book again.

"Hey," Link called out, catching both their attention. "How did the Day court go?"

"Wonderful," Urbosa purred out as she turned towards him, bringing the cocktail up to her lips again, sipping softly. "The patrol?"

Link shrugged, taking a seat. "Boring, long, and hot due to the sun. I'm amazed you Gerudos live through the heat all the time. The clothes certainly help, but still hot though, just not as bad."

Urbosa chuckled as she brought him some water. "Here. I had this brought up before your arrival."

"I already had a drink at the bar," he admitted, smiling in embarrassment as she eyed him with as much motherly scolding as she could muster and he quickly drank some of the water to please her. "They said I should. The guards, that is. Said you told the bar to serve us."

She shook her head. "They're always telling people to head down. I said to make sure you headed down for some water. Just make sure you don't overdo it and become drunk. I don't want to explain why you're drunk."

Link nodded, laughing slightly as he took another sip to wash the alcohol from his breath, knowing it shouldn't be there. He wasn't old enough; he had to be eighteen to drink officially and legally. He should've known the guards would've liked to see him drinking instead of having water, to make him have his first taste of alcohol and while he was grateful, he didn't know how to take it.

But he would still obey Urbosa's warnings and take it easy. He had a job to do after all and he couldn't be wasted while on the clock.

"I asked about the Yiga while I was there," he said and Zelda's eyes snapped to him. "I warned the bartender about them— said they could sneak in looking like Gerudos and learn information that way, and suggested changing hours and having a password for Gerudos to enter."

Urbosa smacked her own head. "I should've made that mandatory."

Zelda looked up, bookmarking the page. "To have passwords and hours changing?"

"Yes," Urbosa nodded. "It would've made them all more relaxed. That way if someone got it wrong— we could question them."

"I suggested having it as something only Gerudos know," Link said.

Urbosa grinned at his suggestion, nodding as if she was about to make it known from the balcony that every shop if they had to go in needed a password, but she knew some wouldn't care much for it, saying it would lessen their business and she couldn't have that happening.

But thinking Yiga Clan members sneaking into her town dressed as Gerudos made her stomach turn and she had to cool herself down from keeping her anger rising upwards too much.

"You're a smart voe," Urbosa clicked her tongue before glancing at Zelda. "I like him— keep him around, little bird. He's going to be a wonderful partner for you if you two go that far."

Link flushed pure red as Zelda's jaw dropped. "Urbosa!" both cried out in embarrassment.

The Gerudo grinned innocently. "What? I'm just saying the truth from what I see. You two could work."

"We're just friends," Zelda pointed out. "Right, Link?"

"Yeah!" Link agreed, nodding along. "We just mended the rift between us— we still have ways to go before we could even think about that happening. Besides, it'll be so weird to date each other. Since we're friends and all."

Zelda nodded. "Right."

Urbosa glanced back and forth before sighing, shaking her head as she took another sip of her drink. Pity. She wanted them to speak about their feelings to get it outta the way because she had a feeling it would help with awakening the power Zelda had told her about. She also wanted to know if Link had any intention of speaking what he felt towards her goddaughter and if he knew how likely the chances of them being returned was.

She wasn't blind and she knew what could happen if the pair had worked up the courage to spill those hidden feelings. But until they were comfortable with it, she wouldn't intrude on them.

But she did want to give them a little push.

"So… neither of you would feel too disappointed if the other found someone to love? Someone that wasn't the other?" she asked, eyes glancing between them.

Link bristled slightly at the thought before forcing himself to calm down. He didn't want to think about Zelda loving someone else, having her eyes on someone who could potentially hurt her and break her hurt to the point where she wouldn't give him the chance to make her happy. Zelda, on the other hand, didn't know what to think about it and chose to remain silent on the matter.

The Gerudo chuckled as she watched the respective reactions.

"Well," Urbosa chuckled, placing the glass down onto the table, clapping her hands together as she eyed the pair. "I should get back down to the throne room."

"Want us to go with you?" Link asked.

"No," Urbosa shook her head, moving towards the stairs. "The pair of you can rest up here, stay in the shade. I won't be long— just a few matters to attend to. I'll send someone up with refreshments and meals."

"Thank you, Urbosa," Zelda smiled.

As the Gerudo left, the pair locked eyes before looking away all flustered as one thought entered their mind; What now?