A/N: Chapter 6 :)
Be prepared for some interesting stuff
Zelda chuckled as she came into the infirmary to see an annoyed Ganondorf sitting in bed, arms crossed over his chest while Lulain checked his injury over.
Ganondorf scowled at Zelda, giving a grumble.
After a few more seconds, Lulain straightened. "You're lucky those didn't open up. Until I say so, you're in bed confinement."
"And how long is that?" Ganondorf grunted, raising an eyebrow.
"Two days. You are not to get out of bed or I will chain you down. Understand, young man?"
Young man? Ganondorf thought as he gave a nod.
Lulain was older than him then. How old was the question and Ganondorf didn't want to get slapped.
With a sigh, Ganondorf looked at Zelda. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to see what we're going to do once we reach Tarrey Town."
"Tarrey Town?" Lulain asked. "You going there?"
"Yes."
"Oh, you don't want to if you're avoiding Hyrulean guards." Lulain washed her hands in a nearby basin.
Zelda and Ganondorf looked at each other before Zelda asked, "Why? What's wrong with Tarrey Town?"
"I heard about a dozen Hyrulean soldiers showed up at Tarrey Town and practically ransacked it, looking for three people." Lulain glanced at the two out of the corner of her eyes. "I would imagine they're still there if not searching the area around the town."
Ganondorf gave a quiet groan. "Great. Tarrey Town is out of the question then."
Heading to Ganondorf's pack, Zelda took the map out and opened it, spreading it on Ganondorf's lap so he could see it.
Ganondorf hummed as he stared at it, Zelda standing beside him so she could see it from his angle.
After a bit, he pointed to a spot in Faron.
"Lurelin Village. They've already checked the Faron region so he may not send anymore soldiers that way."
Zelda stared at where Ganondorf was pointing, nodding slowly.
It was a small fishing village. The weather she heard was mild and nice, even if there was quite a bit of rain.
"It's possible. That would be a few day walk though."
"It's the only way unless you want to go to Hebra."
Zelda gave a laugh. "Too cold."
"That's why I didn't suggest it."
Lulain smiled at the two before she left, deciding to let the two talk privately.
Zelda sighed as she sat in the chair beside Ganondorf's bed. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. I didn't strain myself. You and Lulain are worrying over nothing."
"No. The…" Zelda sighed. "That thing with…Skye. It was strange. Don't you think?"
"Oh."
She was talking about the way he had controlled it somehow.
Ganondorf gave a shrug. "It was weird. But now that machine isn't a threat to us. It can help defend us."
Zelda made a noise at the back of her throat.
He was right, but she wasn't sure if he was playing dumb or he really didn't realize the implications of what he had done.
The danger.
Ganondorf gave a yawn and Zelda gasped.
"Oh, I'm sure you're still tired." Zelda grabbed the map from Ganondorf's lap, but Ganondorf put his hand on hers to stop her.
"You don't need to leave. I don't mind your presence."
Zelda smiled a bit, sitting back down. "All right then."
With a nod, Ganondorf slid down a bit and stretched his arms above his head. "Wake me when Link cooks dinner, all right?"
"Of course."
As she watched, Ganondorf closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly. She replaced the map into his pack then settled into her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. She watched Ganondorf for a while before her eyes slowly slid closed and she fell into sleep as well.
A prickling sensation at the back of her neck woke Zelda from her slumber. She grimaced, shifting in her sleep and rubbing her neck where she felt a crick.
"That is the last time I fall asleep in a chair…"
Letting her gaze roam around the quiet room, Zelda gasped when she saw that the sky outside was a blood red, the crimson moon slowly rising over the cliff in the distance.
A blood moon!
Zelda stared at Ganondorf anxiously.
She couldn't move him. There wasn't really a spot in the domain that the beams wouldn't reach and having him fully exposed to the rays…
She remembered when Ganondorf had torn the manacles from the walls of the cell with ease. Such strength was inhuman.
Staring at him, Zelda clenched her hands in her lap, waiting for any indication that something would happen.
Ganondorf grimaced in his sleep, shifting a bit as the blood moon's light landed on him.
Ganondorf's eyes suddenly snapped open, irises a deep orange and sclera pure black. He looked towards Zelda then pushed himself up with a lazy grin.
"Ah, Hylia. I didn't expect you to be here. It saves me the trouble of trying to find you though."
Zelda scowled at whatever was controlling Ganondorf.
Malice.
The name into her mind and Zelda gave a quiet grunt. "Malice. Release Ganondorf right now before you regret it."
"How about…no. He's evaded his fate for far too long." Throwing the covers off, Ganondorf stood from the bed.
Zelda quickly got to her feet, knocking the chair down behind her, and backed away as the redhead approached.
"You may have him somehow wrapped around your finger, princess, but I hold the strings."
Zelda glanced behind her when she hit a wall, realizing he had purposely gotten her into a corner. She glared, puffing herself up to show she wasn't afraid.
Ganondorf appeared amused at her bravado, slowly reaching a hand towards her. "He'll be so heartbroken to find your lifeless body that he killed. Then I'll give him the power he craves and he'll kill the Hero before he gains that cursed blade and together we'll watch as Hyrule burns."
….Weakness…..Light Arrows…
Zelda gasped at the voice that entered her mind as Ganondorf's hand closed around her throat. A flash of light came to her hand and she gripped the arrow shaft tightly.
"I am sorry about this, Ganondorf!"
Swiftly, Zelda stabbed the tip of the Light Arrow into the redhead's shoulder.
Ganondorf recoiled with an inhuman shriek, releasing her so he could grab his shoulder. "Wretched witch!"
"Release Ganon right now," Zelda hissed, clenching her hands.
Ganondorf snarled before his eyes glazed over and he blinked a few times, the sclera and iris returning to normal. He shook his head with a grunt then glanced around. He looked down at his shoulder when a sharp pain ran down his arm.
"Uh…" Ganondorf looked up at Zelda, eyebrows raised. "Why is there an arrow in my shoulder?"
Zelda sighed, slowly relaxing as she stepped closer to Ganondorf. "You're you?"
"How can I not be anything other than me?"
Zelda shook her head. "Nothing. Forget I asked."
She touched the Light Arrow and it disappeared, leaving behind a patch of bright skin where the arrowhead had been, but no blood.
Ganondorf looked at the wound before he looked back at Zelda.
"I'm so sorry for that," Zelda murmured, touching the wound. "It was the only thing I could think of."
Ganondorf frowned, dropping his gaze. He remembered nothing, but he was certain it had to do with the blood moon now beginning to fade. He shook his head, grinning at Zelda. "Don't worry about it."
"But…"
"I'm not bleeding and it doesn't hurt that bad. It was for a good reason, right? I should be thanking you."
For me almost killing you? Zelda thought with a miserable sigh.
She gave a weak smile. "Will you at least promise to let Mipha check it over tomorrow?"
With a chuckle, Ganondorf nodded. "Of course. If it makes you feel better."
"It would immensely." Zelda stared at the wound. "It truly doesn't hurt?"
"No. Don't worry yourself, princess. I'm tougher than I look."
Zelda gave an exasperated smile, swatting Ganondorf's arm.
After two days, Lulain deemed Ganondorf safe enough to get out of bed.
"As long as you continue to care for the wound until it scars over," the Zora said, frowning at the redhead.
Ganondorf smiled, holding up his right hand. "Promise. Otherwise Zelda will slap my head."
"Hey," Zelda grumbled while Link smiled.
He's right. Link signed. You can be a mother cucco.
"I-I am not a mother cucco."
"Remember that one time Link got a piece of glass in his foot?" Ganondorf muttered. "You practically dragged him by his ankle to the infirmary to get it healed."
"He was going to cover it with dung!"
Hey, dung works well as a covering!
"If you want infection!"
Ganondorf sighed as the two continued to argue over properly healing a wound.
Mipha smiled at the sight as she walked into the room. "Are you three leaving now?"
Zelda looked at the Zora and smiled. "Yes. We'll be going to Lurelin."
"I see. Well, my father wishes to speak with you before you go."
"Of course. We'll come see him right away."
Once Mipha had left, Zelda scowled at Link and punched his arm.
Link pouted, rubbing his arm as Zelda left the room.
Ganondorf hummed, smiling at the interaction as he followed Zelda.
Link made a noise then followed after the other two.
They gathered in the throne room and Dorephan smiled at them.
"I heard you three would be leaving today."
Zelda gave a small bow. "Yes, Your Majesty.
"It would be rude of me to not see you off and give you well wishes on your journey."
"Oh, you don't need to do that, Your Majesty. We're grateful you allowed us to stay."
There was a grunt from Muzu and Dorephan gave him a look to silence him.
"If I may, father," Sidon said, stepping up to stand before Dorephan. "I would like to accompany these three on their journey."
There was an indignant squawk from Muzu while Dorephan blinked.
"I have no true reason for my request other than I wish to look at the world outside the domain, even if it is to Lurelin Village."
"Whoa, whoa, fishboy," Ganondorf grunted, waving a hand. "You're the prince. You can't just go galivanting with us when you're next in line for the throne."
Sidon looked at him then smiled. "Oh, no, I'm not the next in line for father's throne. Mipha is."
Zelda, Ganondorf, and Link exchanged a glance before Zelda asked, "Aren't you the oldest?"
"Huh? Oh, my size belies my age. I apologize if you were misled, but I am the younger brother to Mipha."
Mipha tittered as she stepped up to Sidon's side. "Oh, did we not mention it? Our apologies, we thought you were aware."
"No."
"How could we?"
Tall.
Dorephan cleared his throat to get the attention back on him. "As the trip is short, I see no reason you couldn't join them. You're a seasoned fighter and it would be good to have some worldly experience."
Sidon perked up, headtail wagging. "Oh, thank you, father!"
Mipha looked up at Dorephan. "Then I request I go as well."
Muzu appeared like he was about to have a heart attack while Dorephan hummed.
"Do you have a reason, then, my daughter?"
"The Sea Zora come down from Lanaryu Bay to the waters of Lurelin Village to lay their eggs. It would be good experience for me to speak with their leader, gain trust with their people."
"Y-Your Highness!" Muzu squawked, staring at Dorephan pleadingly. "Don't consider her request! It's dangerous! If something happened to her—"
"We would have Sidon," Dorephan murmured. "But these three are capable fighters as is Sidon. And to put your fears further at bay, Bazz will accompany them as well."
Bazz poked his head into the throne room. "Am I required, Your Highness?"
Dorephan nodded as Bazz entered the room. "Mipha and Sidon wish to travel with our guests to Lurelin. I want you to go as well to protect them."
Bazz gave a salute and a nod. "It would an honor, Your Highness!"
Ganondorf internally groaned. Great. Now they had three Zora traveling with them.
Just what we need.
"This is going to be a fun journey," Sidon said as he, Mipha and Bazz followed after the three Hylians.
The Zora were following in the river, taking care of any Octorok that lurked there while the other three traveled on horseback, dispatching the Lizalfos that had been revived by the blood moon.
"So what route are we taking?" Zelda asked, looking at Ganondorf.
"Wetland Stable will be the closest one where we can rest." Ganondorf looked at the Zora in the river. "A lot of traveling will be land based for them, but we need to avoid getting close to the castle."
Zelda nodded. "Yeah…back to Hylia Bridge, huh?"
"Yeah. Let's hope no soldiers are there."
Link glanced around as they came closer to Lanaryu Wetlands, sensing that they were being watched.
Sidon and the other two Zora sensed it as well, coming out of the water.
Mipha held up her trident while Sidon and Bazz held their spears.
"Is it monsters?" Zelda asked, keeping Bluebell steady.
"If Bluebell is reacting that way, no," Ganondorf grunted, glancing around.
"It wouldn't be Yiga would it?" Zelda asked nervously, unsheathing her sword.
She knew from Impa that Yiga didn't typically travel in groups, to cut down suspicions, but perhaps this was a deviation from that.
Link shook his head.
"There are at least three of them," Sidon said, tilting his spear in the direction that he sensed the people.
"We have the advantage then," Bazz said. "Would they really be foolish enough to challenge us?"
"If they're desperate enough," Ganondorf muttered.
The six waited for any sign of the bandits coming closer, the only sound coming from the snorting horses.
After a while, Sidon relaxed. "I believe they've left."
Smart. Link signed.
"We did have three fierce Zora on our side," Zelda laughed. "Perhaps that's why they changed their minds."
"Oh, no," Mipha said with an amused smile, gesturing to the cliffs. "I believe Skye may have frightened them."
The machine stood on the cliffs, staring where the bandits had been, eyes locked for any movement.
"Good dragon," Sidon said as Skye took off to fly ahead of the group.
"Let's keep moving then," Ganondorf sighed. "Before they change their minds again."
Monsters he could handle, but potentially killing other humans? No thank you.
The six resumed their trek, the Zora returning to the river to scout ahead. They neared the fork in the road where one would lead down towards Trilby Plain and the other back up towards Ternio Trail and to Akkala.
Link.
Link pulled Epona to a halt, looking around curiously. He couldn't see anyone nearby and the other went on ahead like they hadn't heard the voice. Frowning, Link got Epona walking again.
LINK.
Okay, now he heard it again and something was pulling him where he needed to go. He stared at the vast, fog-covered forest in the distance.
There?
A voice whispered yes at the back of his mind.
Link kicked Epona into a gallop, racing past Ganondorf and Zelda.
"Where's he off to?" Sidon asked, the three Zora poking their heads out of the water.
"I have no idea," Zelda muttered.
Ganondorf gave a grunt as he spurred Helltrotter into a canter.
Despite Epona being smaller and faster, Helltrotter caught up and Ganondorf veered right into Link's path to stop him.
"Where do you think you're going?! Wetlands Stable in past Crenel Peak; you're going the wrong way!"
Link appeared annoyed at being intercepted before he pointed behind Ganondorf.
Ganondorf looked over his shoulder, seeing wooden watchtowers in the distance. "You want to go the military camp?"
Link shook his head in annoyance, pointing again with a grunt.
"Din's balls, man…just sign what you want!"
The woods! I have to go there!
Ganondorf squinted at Link before looking again, spotting the trees covered in mist in the distance. "You want to go to that spooky forest of death?"
Link nodded.
"Why?"
"What's wrong?" Zelda asked as she and the Zora approached the two.
"Link wants to go to that weird forest."
Zelda looked where Ganondorf pointed, making a concerned face.
Obviously Ganondorf hadn't quite figured out what that place was yet.
"Lost Woods?" Zelda looked at Link. "It's called the Lost Woods for a reason, you know."
Lost Woods? Ganondorf thought, glancing back at the forest.
Why did that name sound familiar? Something told him that going there was a horrible, awful idea.
I just feel like I have to go there. Link signed.
"If you two are avoiding the Hyrulean army, going that way is suicide," Bazz said. "The military camp is crawling with them."
Ganondorf grunted. "He's right. We stick out like sore thumbs."
"We could go past under the cover of night," Zelda suggested with a shrug.
"That is an excellent idea," Mipha said. "The Woodland Stable is nearby so we can stay there until nightfall."
"Sounds like a good plan to me," Sidon agreed with a grin. "They'll more than likely be unable to easily spot us."
Ganondorf sighed. "All right, fine. We can rest at the stable then go to the woods."
He headed towards the stable.
"I just hope you know what you're doing."
The spotlights slowly swept over the path that cut through the Minshi Woods, lighting up anything in its path.
The six stayed right out of the range, watching the movements.
"Of course they have spotlights," Ganondorf mumbled.
"What do we do?" Sidon asked. "They'll sound the alarm if we're seen by one."
"Small people first," Bazz suggested. "They can move quicker and out of spotlight range faster."
"Guess that's you four," Ganondorf said, looking at Mipha, Bazz, Zelda and Link.
The four nodded and they all watched the movement of the spotlights. Once it had swept out of the path, Link quickly trotted down the path until he was out of the spotlight's return range.
Slowly, the other three went as well, joining Link.
"Our turn," Sidon said, flashing a smile at Ganondorf.
"Zora first."
"As you wish," Sidon muttered, watching the spotlight before moving swiftly down the path, headfin just managing to make it out of spotlight range.
Once it had made another pass, Ganondorf made his way down the path.
A pair of red eyes popped up in front of him, the Stalkoblin giving a cackle.
Startled by the sudden appearance of the monster, Ganondorf screamed and scrambled back, unsheathing a sword to stab the Stalkoblin through the head.
"What was that?" a voice asked, the spotlight sweeping back in Ganondorf's direction and landing on him.
An alarm sounded immediately as Ganondorf scrambled to his feet.
"It's him!"
"Get him!"
Ganondorf took off at a run, the others heading towards the Lost Woods.
Nice scream. Link signed, grinning at Ganondorf.
"Now isn't the time for jokes!" Ganondorf snarled, barely avoiding an arrow that whizzed past him.
The six ran into the woods, the mist instantly swallowing them. The soldiers skidded to a stop, staring at the mist-covered woods.
"They went into the Lost Woods," one mumbled.
"Well, go get them!"
"And come back as a Skull Kid? No thank you."
"Someone has to get him," a guard said. "The king wants him dead or alive."
"He's as good as dead in there anyway. No one comes out of the Lost Woods."
"What about the alarm?" another soldier asked. "They'll ask why we set it off."
"They'll definitely send Impa."
A collective shudder went through the group.
"Here's what we'll do," a guard said. "We'll say we thought we saw someone but it was just a monster."
"But what about the—"
"Impa doesn't need to know what we truly saw. All we have to do is give an explanation for the alarm and we will."
The soldiers gave an oh of understanding.
"Good thinking!
"Yeah, she'll never know."
"Let's get back to our positions."
