Zelda and her entourage had finally made it. After melting under the Gerudo sun for hours, the group was finally greeted by the sights and sensations of Urbosa's city.
It was only the third time Zelda had graced the city in her life. The first was when she was a small child, tagging along with the queen on official business. Zelda was an incredibly curious child and insisted on accompanying her mother. She barely remembers the journey now, save for a moment when she and the queen had looked out upon the oasis on their journey to the city. The sun lit up her mother's face as she gazed out on the crystal waters of the oasis, the hot breeze stirring the water. The queen looked down at her daughter and beamed, "Isn't it beautiful?" It was one of her fondest memories with her mother, even now.
Zelda's second trip into the city was about a year ago. The princess had finally come of age and could begin fully carrying out her mother's old royal duties. Soon after the princess' birthday, her father insisted on sending her with a group of diplomats to Gerudo Town, Rito Village, and Zora's Domain to revive the political relationships with each. It truly was a whirlwind trip. Though Rito Village and Zora's Domain were incredible in their own right, Zelda always remembered her visit to Gerudo Town the most fondly. The food, the fashion, the people were all so fascinating to her, most of all Lady Urbosa.
Gerudo Town was the princess' first stop on her voyage around Hylia, so naturally, she felt a bit on edge. She needed to fill her mother's role and represent her kingdom well. Suffice to say, her father piled on the pressure. Zelda had been forced away from her research and typical confidants on the journey as well. Link may have been there, but she was still uncomfortable in his presence. He rarely talked, but the sword he wielded mocked Zelda. How could she compare to him, when Zelda herself was still unable to access her sealing powers?
Yet, her first visit was amazing, all because of Lady Urbosa. The chieftain steadied Zelda's nerves with her charisma, amazing sense of humor, and fiery spirit. Urbosa soon began to bring the princess along on all of her business, proudly showing off the city and its people. Yet, in all her memories of the trip, she most often remembers gazing idly at the chieftain. Urbosa dazzled her with every speech, every look, every conversation, and Zelda could barely take her eyes off her. Once in a while, Urbosa would catch her staring, but she never said anything. The chief would simply send a smile and a wink her way and continue attending to whatever matter was at hand.
This always sent Zelda into a tailspin for moments afterward. The princess often had to look away to hide her blushing cheeks or excuse herself to calm down. At first, she figured she was just in awe of Urbosa's talent as a leader, but as time went on she began to wonder if that was really the truth. By the end of her stay at Gerudo Town, she still had yet to make up her mind about the matter. But the second she parted ways with the chief, she felt a longing to go back. In the months after, despite the fanfare of Rito Village and Zora's Domain, Zelda had dearly missed Urbosa, wishing to return once again.
After a year of longing, the princess had finally returned. Though she was positively melting under the desert sun, Zelda had begun to hurry towards the city in anticipation, leaving Link and her entourage paces behind. For a moment, she considered waiting for the royal procession to catch up, but once she caught a glimpse of Urbosa all of those thoughts were emptied from her mind. Zelda rarely ran, but the sight of Urbosa had her rushing through the gates of Gerudo Town. The chief soon noticed the princess and held her arms out expectantly for her.
"Lady Urbosa!" Zelda cried as she rushed forward into the chief's arms. She looked up and smiled breathlessly, "It is so good to see you."
Urbosa chuckled at the princess' enthusiasm, holding her in a tight embrace. Once they parted, she said, "Well if it isn't my favorite vai. It's nice to see you too."
Zelda gazed into the chief's warm eyes and breathed, "It's been so long… I missed you."
Urbosa smiled, "Did you now? I missed you too, little bird." She winked before straightening up and facing the rest of the Hylian royal procession, which had finally caught up with the young princess. Urbosa greeted them; "Princess and People of Hyrule, Welcome. I'm sure you've had a long journey. Allow my guards to escort you to your lodgings. I hope to make a more proper welcome at dinner." Satisfied with her welcome, the group of Hylians clapped and readily filed out behind Urbosa's palace guard, eager to find a place to rest.
Zelda lingered behind, unwilling to part with the chieftain. Link remained as well, maintaining his spot at the princess' side. The three observed the Hylian entourage leave before Urbosa finally said, "Link, go assist the others and settle in yourself. I'd like to speak to our princess for a moment," Link simply nodded, and turned to follow the others.
As the knight left, the princess looked up in surprise. What did Urbosa want to discuss? The princess' heart began to pound, and her face flushed. Oh, what was this feeling? Zelda had been alone with Urbosa countless times before. How could this be any different?
Yet, the princess couldn't help it. As the two wandered through the city, Zelda couldn't help but fall into her typical rhythm: stealing glances and smiles from the chief as they caught up with each other. Urbosa listened so intently, smiling radiantly at the young princess' enthusiastic conversation about her research.
Stopping in front of a clothes vendor, Urbosa said, "Are you comfortable, princess? The desert sun must be unbearable in that outfit."
Zelda blinked, she had been so excited to see Urbosa again that she had neglected to dress properly for the journey or keep her outfit clean along the way. She was a bit of a mess, to say the least. Realizing this, the princess stuttered, "Perhaps I should have worn something else for the journey. B-but there's no need to buy me anything, really."
Urbosa chuckled and rested a hand on the young vai's shoulder, "It'd be my pleasure to buy you something, little bird. I want to commemorate your return to my city somehow."
Knowing Urbosa never backed down on her kind gestures, the princess finally gave in and nodded her head in agreement. Urbosa smiled, "There's my favorite vai. Why don't we get you this outfit?"
Urbosa held up a traditional Gerudo ensemble. Unlike the chief's, it was complete with a veil, a cropped top with billowing sleeves, and sirwal all in Zelda's signature blue shade.
The princess' face heated up. It was a bit more revealing than she was used to. Turning away to hide her embarrassment, Zelda said,
"A-are you sure? It's quite revealing, Urbosa."
The chief leaned in, and said earnestly, "I think you'd look lovely, little bird."
Zelda gasped a little and looked up at her companion in awe. She had never considered herself particularly beautiful or lovely, and to hear it from Urbosa was like walking into a ray of sun. She gave a little nod in approval, and the chief gave her a beautiful smile and straightened up to pay for the garments.
Soon, the two were strolling back to Zelda's chamber in comfortable silence. When they arrived, Urbosa said, "I'll let you get settled in now, little bird." Leaving her with a wink, the princess watched her companion walk away, content with the day's events.
—-
Before she knew it, Zelda was heading to dinner with the royal procession. In her room, the princess felt bold enough to put on her new outfit. But wearing out in the open had her insecurities reaching new heights. She asked Link if her outfit was fine, but of course, he didn't offer much in the way of advice.
As she crossed into the courtyard for dinner, Zelda took a deep breath. Urbosa's eyes lit up as she caught sight of the young princess, and rose from her seat to meet her.
Seeing the chief approach her, Zelda looked up and smiled. As Urbosa led the princess to her seat, she said, "I feel honored to see you in the clothing of my people, Princess," conscious of the others around them.
And as Zelda sat down, Urbosa leaned in and said, "You look lovely, little bird," before returning to her own seat at the head of the table, opposite of the princess.
Luckily for the princess, her veil hid her crimson face in the wake of that compliment. Her mind raced, feverishly working to untangle the implications of Urbosa's words. Surely the chief was just flattering her, right?
The start of dinner was a blur of emotions and stolen glances and distracted conversation for Zelda, who was still in a tailspin from Urbosa's words.
This high came crashing down when Urbosa began to speak.
"People of Hyrule, though your presence is appreciated, I must warn you: the Yiga Clan has made a reappearance on our borders. Not only are they planning to resurrect Calamity Ganon, it seems the Yiga Clan is also after our treasured heirloom. I won't rest until my city is safe. You are protected here, but danger awaits right outside our walls." Urbosa took a moment of silence, gazing out across the table. She soon locked eyes with Zelda, who searched her gaze for something, anything reassuring.
There was nothing.