The next morning had Linkette sitting a bit stiff as she sleepily waited for the breakfast of baked apples to be finished, Aiden cooking the meal, even putting on some cinnamon and sugar she had on her. The men slowly filed out, Beau being the early bird out of habit and Sheik coming out last thanks to his little mental fixation while trying to sleep. Aiden finished cooking the food and let people claim their plates, making sure Linkette got one of the honey biscuits she had been keeping for herself, figuring the girl needed it after what she got up to last night. Only Sheik seemed to understand why Linkette got extra food and he quickly made up the excuse that she's gonna need it since she has to fight whatever evil's hidden within Death Mountain. The meal finished and they packed up camp and went to start heading up the mountain, soon everyone realizing while visits weren't often had as they all started to get more tired and exhausted from the heat, minus Aiden, who was thriving in it, and Dale. Linkette seemed to be faring better than the others as well. Beau debated pretending to play dead so that he didn't have to continue on, he was used to hard labor on flat ground, not climbing in extreme heat. Sheik was still trying to push everyone to go, but given the lengthening pauses between his words it seemed the heat was starting to get to him as well and may need water very soon.

"Just a little farther, there's an enchanted lake," Aiden encouraged. With her words the group barely made it to the lake, most diving in to cool off. Nobody even bothered taking off their clothes, they just dived right in after practically dunking their heads in for drinks.

The group recovered a bit but realized most of them would not be making the climb the rest of the way up.

"Linkette, Dale, and I can make the rest of the climb," Aiden stated, though sounded uncertain at Linkette going, if it wasn't for the fact that she was needed.

"Let's give ourselves a few more minutes, it's only gotta git hotter an' harder from here," Dale splashed his face with water.

"I know, isn't it amazing," It was realized Aiden hadn't gotten into the lake yet, only taking some drinks.

"How can you handle this?" Beau inquired as he held Damia's hand as they laid on the ground in sweaty agony.

"I love the heat," Aiden shrugged. "I remember my mom taking me on trips up here as a kid."

"Good for you...please keep my cousin out of trouble."

"But Beau-"

"No buts! You're not to wrestle any Gorons while we're up here, you'll get trounced since you'll be too tired from the climb up!" Beau was firm on the matter.

"But Beau-!"

"I'll tell auntie!"

That silenced Dale.

"I'll do my best," Aiden promised. "Now let's head off soon before…"

Linkette was already snoozing, resting her feet in the water to stay cool.

"Let's just give her a few, it's been a long day…" Dale sighed.

"Yeah, especially after what she got up to last night," Aiden agreed, having mercy on her.

Everyone but Sheik turned to her on hearing that, while said magic ninja proceeded to hide in the water while everyone was distracted.

"She went for a late night walk," Aiden realized how bad things could turn out if she said what she really heard.

Things calmed down on hearing that and eventually it was time to try and wake Linkette up. Dale just figured to not bother since she could sleep through a nasty storm with no issues and just carried her over his shoulders while traveling the flatter parts of the mountain. Aiden pondered if this wasn't some form of kidnapping, but it seemed to work pretty good as they made great time. She then noticed how Linkette was sweating a lot and stressed to Dale to hurry up, as despite being asleep she was overheating. He did so and pushed himself pretty hard but did question if they'd find any sources of water this high up and prayed that they could. Luckily they reached the entrance to the city, and got assistance for their companion, the hero being carried off to another enchanted pool while fetching a goron tunic for her. Aiden, meanwhile, was greeted like an old friend. Dale was just glad that made it in time, dipped his feet in the pool and just relaxed while observing Aiden interacting with the locals.

"Good news, we're gettin the Ruby in exchange for my performance," Aiden joined him in sitting a bit later, looking pleased with herself.

"How'ja manage that?" Dale cocked his head to one side as a puzzled expression showed itself.

"They love my shows and apparently Linkette is descended from a sworn brother of a prior Goron chief."

"Huh, purdy lucky if I do say so myself."

"It is," Aiden agreed, "so will you be watching my performance," She flirted a bit.

"A-Ah course!" he nodded with a blush.

"Great. I'll be performing tomorrow. Until then we can hang out in my room. Linkette will be shown her own once she wakes back up."

He nodded dumbly to the arrangement, "S-Sounds good."

She smirked and led him away to where her room was, giving the barely awake Linkette a wink. Linkette caught on to Aiden's game and prayed her surrogate brother didn't get his heart broken. Dale just went along because he didn't know what else to do with a pretty girl that didn't call him a brute within five seconds of meeting him. They reached her room and Aiden pulled him over to the pallet that served as her bed.

"Dale, I'd like to get to know you better,"

"S-Sure," he nodded as his cheeks flushed, "wh-whaddya have in mind?"

"Are you single?"

"Purdy much. Gals in th' court think I'm too brash t' be 'their type' so I don't go an' pursue 'em."

"Their loss. I like you being brash and strong. A man like you would be good protection on the road~" And maybe good company too.

"W-Well a'course!" He tried not to be as flustered as he felt, "Been trainin' since I could walk, s-so I know a thing're two."

"Wanna travel with me when the quest is done?~"

"I-I'll have t' go home an' grab some things, b-but yeah!"

"Great~" She leaned in to give him a kiss.

He blushed even harder as he realized what was about to happen, but did lean in to meet her. Aiden kept it going, obviously having some experience as she deepened the kiss. Dale's hands found their way to her waist and pulled her up and closer. They kept kissing like that for a while, Aiden savoring every bit of it as it felt like she was on fire, and it was so very addicting. She pulled away enough to start undoing her dress, exposing her shoulders and chest to him. He gulped down hard and at some point one of his hands came up and started caressing her exposed shoulders while getting a weird sensation in his stomach. After a few minutes she gently pulled his hands down to touch her chest, encouraging him to start going further. Despite his brutish exterior and bluntness, he was surprisingly gentle as he undid her top and caressed her chest. The weird feeling in his stomach got stronger and it seemed to travel south...Aiden was starting to get flushed as she became aroused as well, soon requesting he take his armor off. He fumbled a bit since he was distracted by her but stripped himself to his usual tunic and pants in record time. Aiden helped him a bit by taking off his tunic, letting her dress finish falling off her top half. She pulled him close again and gave him another kiss. He held her close as his hands roamed over her skin, the sensation like warm silk under his fingers. It awoke something in him that made his kisses fiercer as he began going at her neck while massaging her breasts. Aiden made noises of pleasure and encouragement, hoping he kept moving forward. He did, managing to slip off the rest of her attire and lifting her up so she had an easier means to straddle his waist as he supported her and kept kissing her face, neck and chest.

"Your pants need to be off," She panted.

"It can wait a lil' longer," his voice was husky as he breathed against her skin.

"It'd be so much funner with them off," She was going a bit crazy.

"But I'd have t' let go'a ya...and I don't wanna," he admitted while holding her closer to further emphasize the point.

"It'd only be for a minute," She gave him a playful kiss before sliding her hands down to start helping him get them off.

"Promise?" He tried not to shiver from her touch.

"Promise~"

He let go, with a little reluctance, and got out of his pants and boots. Once those were off she pulled him back in and kissed him again, quickly wrapping her legs around his waist so that he could proceed. He moaned as he started bucking between kisses and touches, getting louder and huskier as his body reacted. She soon guided him into her and bit him a bit to hold back the loud moan as he took her. He groaned her name as he started finding the needed rhythm while he started biting on her neck, accidentally finding the spot.

"Harder," She could feel herself getting very close after he started biting her neck.

He did as commanded with an aroused growl. Aiden was soon moaning his name as she finished hard, panting heavily and still moaning as she waited for him to finish. He followed suit as this was his first time and was very hypersensitive to everything she did to him. She kept kissing on him, snuggling close.

"Remind me to marry you," She sleepily mumbled, "that was amazing."

"I will," he assured in a low but still husky voice as he kissed her forehead.

She gave him a gentle smile as she fell asleep in his arms.

Is this...really real? Dale pondered before drifting to sleep as well.

A bit later had them awoken by their stomachs growling. Aiden gave Dale a kiss to wake him up a bit, giggling in happiness.

Dale blinked and stared at her a moment as his sleepy mind tried to catch up. "Mornin'," he snuggled her.

"It's afternoon, silly. Dinnertime,"

"Oh, right...wanna grab some currey? I hear it's what they typically serve non-Gorons up here."

"Sure. And we should check on Linkette too, I'm sure she's up by now," Aiden went to go get tidied up and dressed.

Dale sat up and just stared at her as it finally hit him what they had been up to, along with her statement of marriage. "Uhh...A-Aiden? So, um...w-were ya bein' series a'fore? With th' uh...m-marriage th-thing…"

"Of course. I wouldn't have slept with you if I wasn't serious."

He blushed but had the biggest smile on his face, "Okay! I'll try an' git things arranged th' moment we can git hitched!"

"Great! You know, the leader of the Goron's could officiate it,"

"He can? Will it still count outside'a Goron territory?" Dale figured to start getting dressed at this point too.

"Yes, so long as he signs some form of paperwork,"

"...Can paper even make it up here?"

"Yes, otherwise they'd be no trade treaties," Aiden answered as she gently washed herself, trying not to wince at the tenderness.

"Oh, right…" he gave a small nod and noticed she was having some difficulty, "not sure if'n I can do much, but do ya need help?"

"I'll be fine in a bit. It's just been a couple years since I've...been bedded."

He tilted his head at her. "Huh?"

"It's a long story but you were my second...not…" She was blushing a bit, looking a touch ashamed.

"Ooh…" he was quiet for a while, "at least one'a us knew what we were doin'."

"Right…" She was still looking ashamed and a bit uncomfortable on the subject. "It really was much better this time."

He did grin a little at that and gave her a kiss on top of her head, "I'm glad."

"If it makes things better, I'd rather count this as my first. I didn't really want...that first time."

His expression changed to worried as he carefully held her close, "Ya don't gotta keep goin'. I'm fine bein' whatever ya want me t' be."

"I want you to be my husband, that way I'll be nice and safe. I've been looking a long time for a guy like you."

"I wasn't lookin' fer anyone, but I'm glad ya picked me anyway," he smiled and his hug was more loving now.

"I'm glad I picked you too and you didn't freak out at my advances."

"Yer th' only gal who ever did, so...I was more surprised than anythin' really."

Aiden nodded, "we should really get dressed now. We can have more fun before bed."

He nodded in agreement and, once they were both ready to exit, escorted her out like the knight he is. Aiden had a big smile on her face as he did so. The couple ended up joining Linkette at a dining hall, Linkette trying her best to communicate using hand gestures with the King of the Goron's, obviously enjoying herself and feeling much better. She gave the couple a curious, but knowing glance, having accidentally overheard their activities.

"How're ya holdin' up?" Dale inquired of his kind of sister as they took seats beside her.

She wrote out that she was doing much better and asked how he'd enjoyed his time with Aiden, given how loud they were.

"We're good," Dale gave his fiancee a side squeeze.

"I'm pretty sure he enjoyed our time together as much as you enjoyed yours with…"Aiden accidentally slipped up.

"With who?" Dale turned to look at his lover.

"The bodyguard…"

Linkette looked mortified at Aiden spilling her secrets, Aiden giving her an apologetic glance.

"What? Seriously, Linkette?" Dale turned to look at the blonde now, the area around them shaking a little. "Ya know yer engaged, why're ya doin' this?"

Linkette chose not to answer, just looking at her bowl of food and blushing. I can't tell him the truth, that he's the prince, or that I felt like I just had to bed him.

"D'ya even remember what happens t' traitors'v the' crown? Exile, if'n their lucky."

'I'm not a traitor!' She mouthed, followed by furious scribbling saying such. She left the table, no longer hungry.

"Not you, him!" Dale called out.

That had her pause, pulling out her paper and writing that Sheik wasn't a traitor either as her and Zelo weren't married yet and throwing the note at Dale.

There was an awkward pause as it just floated down to the ground like a leaf since she hadn't balled it up.

Dale sighed, picked it up and read it over. "Th' prince ain't gonna like that someone from a tribe sworn t' protect his family took yer heart, a'course Sheik's gonna be labeled a traitor an'...it don't look good fer'im."

Linkette went forward to reclaim her paper and write some more, 'It wasn't like the prince proposed to me! It was arranged the day I was born. He barely knows me from another lady in the court.' And Zelo's words of barely knowing her and wanting to get to know her better before they slept together, hit home as she realized the prince she so loved didn't know much about her and she'd basically forced herself upon him. She felt her eyes start to well up with tears.

"Linkette…" Dale quickly got her in a hug, "I-I won't say nothin' t' th' prince, promise."

That's not it She mentally sobbed while the real tears started to fall.

Dale just kept hugging his friend and trying to comfort her. Eventually Linkette cried herself out and pulled away from him and went to go to her assigned room.

"...I messed up big time, huh?" Dale looked over to Aiden.

"A little. I think. But it's weird. Linkette really doesn't give the vibe to just jump into bed with someone she only met recently. Do her and Sheik know each other from the castle?"

"Uuhh...don't think so? He don't act like he knows her, which I'd think would be th' first sign?"

"Very weird indeed. We're missing something. For now let's just hope she doesn't end up pregnant from her tryst. A tryst can be swept under the rug, pregnancy not so much."

"I know…" Dale sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "an' that's gonna seal Sheik's fate if'n it happens."

"We'll just have to keep them separate from now on," Aiden decided. "Now let's try to eat a bit before we go to bed. It'll be a long day tomorrow between my performance and us getting hitched, then starting back down the mountain."

"Agreed...I just hope she don't starve herself outta anger." He sighed and joined her at the table again.

Once they ate they talked to the Chief, who agreed to do the wedding tomorrow after her performance. This cheered them up a bit before they retired for the night.

"I can't believe it, I'm gittin' married! T' such a beauty, no less!" Dale picked her up and spun her around.

"I can't believe I get to marry such a strong knight," Aiden cheered as well, "we'll have to shove it in my father's face that a man does want me."

"Whaddya mean by that?" Dale was concerned again as he gently set her on her feet.

"He said that since I wasn't a virgin anymore no man would want me for a wife."

"Well that's just stupid," he huffed, "yer a good woman an' that's more important."

"Thank you," She was a bit more cheerful at that statement. "That means that he didn't win."

He nodded in agreement, "An' we won't let'im."

She pulled him in for a kiss, feeling more happy than she had in ages. He kissed back, holding her close as he did a little dip. She started leading him towards the bed, hoping he was up for another round. Given how quickly he discarded his tunic and boots, that seemed to be a yes. Needless to say the couple did not sleep as much as they should that night.