Chapter 8

"Hiker's" in the Town of Ruto

We were still in the midst of night when we found the dirt path again. We were not going to backtrack all that way to where we made camp. Not like we left anything behind anyways. And so, I stifled a yawn as we continued on our way. Like last time, when we finally decided to stop again, it took us probably close to an hour to find somewhere that might be even safer.

We were close to another set of woods and just a few hours away from Ruto. But the night already has thinned concernedly since the attack from the goriya. We never found anything as safe as the overhang, and we had to settle for a tight copse of trees. Suppose it was better than sleeping in the wide plain, but I didn't want to take any more risks with this.

I approached a solid tree and wrapped my arms around the lowest branch. "Where do you think you're going?" The prince asked, eyeing at me suspiciously.

"I'm sleeping up here tonight. I'm thinking it may be the safest place to sleep in all of Hyrule for me." I answered, feeling frustrated and not wanting to be attacked anymore. My entire weight dangled just from the branch when I then tried to swing my legs on top. The wood groaned quietly as if I woke it from a thousand-year slumber.

The prince scoffed and dropped his bags and equipment before sitting down. "Just don't bother me when the deelers start to bite."

I didn't even reply, but continued to climb. With my knees now on the branch, I looked up to see higher boughs more nested in the green canopy of leaves. I lifted both of my arms towards it, but when I couldn't reach; I carefully brought myself into a standing position. The wood began to groan again and lower under my weight, but it was strong enough to hold, and I was able to reach higher up. After climbing a few more branches, I settled down, surrounded by the leaves of the strong tree.

My perch was not very comfortable, but I still preferred it to the unsafe ground where His Highness was now lying. Despite the hard branches that made as my bed, I was so tired and was not awake for very long.


I didn't know how long I slept, and I still kept my eyes closed, but I could hear slight shushing of leaves and quiet bird whispers. Even with eyes close, daylight filtered in. I finally looked to see the day seeping through in patterns of shifting shadows from the leaves that sheltered me.

And that's when I noticed the small brown bird looking at me from its perch on the tip of my boot. The little feathers ruffled up as a breeze sailed past, making the bird look round and fat. It turned its head to smooth down some of the plume before finally chirping me a farewell and disappearing somewhere I couldn't see.

"Hey, Link! Are you awake?"

The prince's voice shot me from my relaxed state of post-sleep. I tried, without falling off, to sit up and look down to see him. He was standing, already looking formal, brushed off, and straightened. He was glaring up at my branch, but now we had eye contact. "Come on, we should be off!" He then turned around and started to gather a few of the items he had out.

As soon as I moved to leave the branch, my back and neck instantly complained from sleeping on hard bark for so long. I ignored the stiff muscles and was careful when swinging down one branch at a time. I was even quick enough to reach the ground as the prince was done packing. Together, we headed back yet again to that dirt road, where Ruto was just two or three hours away. "Are you always such a deep sleeper?" My companion asked.

I didn't know if he was asking out of simple curiosity, or if it was a matter-of-fact statement that he framed as a question. And so, I didn't know any other way to answer but with another question. "Why? It that such a bad thing?"

He must thought it wasn't worth to elaborate, because he kept quiet after that.


We finally made it to the town of Ruto! But I still held a lingering feeling of disappointment with the knowledge that this wasn't our destination. No, Ruto was just the beginning goal before starting a wide and tedious sweep down into the swamp miles and miles away.

With every person who was passed, the prince was received of a second, lengthy look back. Soon, I felt like we drew too much attention amongst the town and it was making me feel very exposed. "You really should be wearing robes or something of the sort." I remarked quietly, "All this speculation has to be unhealthy for my quest."

"Our quest," He corrected but agreed with my point. "But yes, at the time, I didn't even think to bring something less suspicious, but now, I'm feeling that regret. Do you think someone might recognize me for who I am? I don't want to be forced back to the castle."

"'forced back'? Impa didn't know you left?" I asked, genuinely shocked. He froze, and looked off to the side like he didn't mean to let that out. "I can't believe it!" I exclaimed. "You wanted to crash into my plans that much?"

"Lady Impa doesn't understand!" He replied, only confirming my accusation. "She was never the downfall of any friend, let alone a sister! She wanted me to stay, and trust that everything will be all right, But I couldn't. This is too important, I need to be the one to save my sister."

"Why can't you trust me?" I asked. "I saved Zelda once, I can save her again. What have I done that to make you think otherwise?"

"Nothing, I just..."

I waited for him to finish his thought, but he never did. "Just what?"

"It's just... This may be harder than you think. You saved her once, true, but just because you've done this before, or because Zelda needs help again wouldn't make this simple." It's not like he has been on a quest of this importance before, I thought, it's not in his place to say that. Of course it would be simple! I was chosen, and rightly so!

I shook off his last comment and changed the subject. "It's quite possible for you to be recognized here." I shot. "The very least you could have done is try to look like a commoner. That's usually what Zelda does when she comes into town looking for me." But anger rose in me from his distrust and I attacked him again. "And don't you dare say our quest! Never forget that you forced me to bring you along. It's still my quest, because I'm the only one who can find the Triforce!"

"I'm not arguing with you right now." He lowered his voice and glanced around for anymore eyes upon us. "Where are we going? Surely we're stopping for some supplies before we leave."

How dare he be so stubborn about everything! What a noble, thinking he can get away with anything! But the only thought I let out was a sigh. Arguing will only bring more attention to ourselves. So I guess he was right this time. I tried to cool my temper with him for once and spoke calmly. "Trust me, I know of a great place that will likely have everything we need. They will even have commoner's equipment and armor."

The prince simply nodded and followed close behind as I led him to the shop I was really familiar with. It was a small, wooden building, but they were always stocked with everything I needed. A faded, old sign hung, swinging in the wind, that simply had "Hiker's" written on it in white, swerving letters.

I pulled open the creaking door and stepped in first. "Welcome to Hiker's." The lady at the counter greeted me. At first I thought it to be Eva Hiker, the daughter of the shop owner who likes to help with the business, but I then realized her to be Diane, Eva's mother. Like her daughter, Diane had long brown hair that fell to her waist, and the same green eyes. Winkles from age and hard work lined her face, but at the same time, she sparkled with life and excitement. "Oh, I remember you! You're Link, right?" She asked, and I nodded. The noble of Hyrule came from behind me and looked out of place in his fine, royal robes standing in such an old and poor shop. "Yes, that's right. I'm glad to see you're well." I answered.

"Thank you. I am quite tired today, but I am thankful for such wonderful help." She replied, smiling to Eva who showed up carrying a short open crate with some items to the shelves.

"Oh, hello, Link!" Eva exclaimed without stopping. "Exploring Hyrule Kingdom again? You must have been everywhere on the map by now." She placed some of the items away in an organized fashion.

"Yes," I agreed, feeling proud of my achievements. "Pretty unbelievable, isn't it?" But the prince must not have thought of it that way, because he frowned in his glare from the girl to me. I didn't know what he was thinking, but whatever it was, he remained silent.

But Eva didn't notice his disapproving stare. She stood up, all of her mother's merchandise finely positioned on the shelves. "It is." She replied to me. But even though I was the only one who noticed my companion's frustration, he didn't go unseen for much longer. "So, who's your friend?"

The prince's expression changed from slight anger to one with wide eyes and unwanted attention. "Oh, we're not friends." He stumbled. I looked back at him and silently begged for him to think up a story, quick! "I'm just a... traveler." He answered. "Yes, that's how we met!"

Eva furrowed her brow in confusion. "You wear such fine jewels and silken clothes for a traveler."

I couldn't bare the prince's faltering cover up much longer. "He's from a rich family." I blurted, and we exchanged nervous glances. "In another land."

"Yeah," He continued, playing along. "I wanted to see what was beyond our border."

But Eva didn't seem like she was buying our impromptu tale. "Uh, all right?" But luckily for the two of us, she accepted it. "Well, it's an honor to have someone of a well-known family in our humble store. Nice to meet you." Still holding the empty crate, she gave a courteous bow to the prince and a warm smile to me before she left to gather more to stock.

The prince heaved off all his tension in one sigh, and without another word, left to look at the clothes and armor. I let him wander off alone and I stayed close to where I was so I could shop for my own supplies. The shop became quiet and peaceful, Eva moved from shelf to shelf, and Diane was organizing in some of the backrooms. The two of them would talk with each other every now and then, either about the town or their work, but they were focused with their business, and I shopped silently.

That was until I had everything I needed and still the prince never moved from where he was. I shook my head; he was probably stuck on what to buy. But I gave him more time and went to the counter to pay for what I had.

Diane was quick to notice me and approached the other side of the table to count what I had. "So Link, I heard you tell Eva that you're on another journey. Where are you going now?"

I didn't hesitate to tell her the truth. Just because I explored the map often doesn't mean she had to know exactly why. "I'm going to the southern swamps."

"Thirty-five rupees," She concluded, and I took the amount from my wallet. "Isn't there a safer road to the east? The mountain is quite dangerous to travel through."

"Well, yes, but I was told about a rock slide that's now blocking that road. And I won't let a roadblock keep me from going to the swamp, besides, I'm not scared of the mountain." I answered while gathering up the bought goods.

"Really?" Diane asked. "How did that rock slide happen?"

I was honestly surprised when I couldn't answer that. From the past few days, I have been fighting with him so much, I never even thought asked His Majesty that question. I looked over to where the armor was, where the prince stood with his arms formally crossed as he thought hard still about what to buy. "I... I don't know."

"It was just there when you found it, huh?" Eva's mother finished. "Well, be careful, young swordsman."

"Um, thank you." I didn't need to be careful, but she was just trying to show respect. I left the counter and joined the prince.

"You were fast." He simply stated.

"I guess I was, or you are just taking forever on a decision."

He looked at me and shrugged. "I've never done this before." He admitted. I felt like snapping at him, that it was quite common to shop for things you need. But I held my tongue. Of course he's never done this before! He grew up with everyone doing everything for him.

I sighed. "All right, here goes. Don't pick the most expensive, that's why you're buying in the first place. And don't buy armor that has a lot of metal on it. I've seen you fight, and you will only be slowed down in that type of armor."

"Then what am I looking for?" He curiously asked.

"Pick something simple, something that doesn't stand out too much. You're quick, so you won't need the protection of a heavy, metal suit. You might want..." I thought for a moment. "-One of leather. Yes, it's light enough for you to keep your speed, but will still protect you from a lot of strikes."

"Like this one?" He asked, pointing to a stand that held mild leather with thicker padding on weaker areas. The colors weren't consistent, the padding was of a slightly darker brown than the almost beige of the rest of the suit.

"That one's perfect." I answered.

The lady that came in to shop a few minutes ago didn't have a lot of my attention, but she was now ahead of us and stood at the counter, paying for the items she chose. "So, how is the elder doing?" I heard Diane asked the middle-aged woman.

"He's doing fine, I suppose." She answered. "But he's still pretty upset, and I have no idea what to do with him. Have you heard anything?"

I muted out the rest of the conversation when the prince spoke again. "Thanks, I guess. So is that everything we need?"

"Yes," I quickly responded with little thought. "We should get to the swamps as fast as possible." He agreed and we moved closer to the counter where the female customer was still talking with Diane.

The lady sighed. "I just don't know if we're ever to find that trophy." That last part struck me. She's looking for a trophy? The same one the prince gave me?

But I didn't respond in time. "Trophy?" My companion asked. I'd guess he was asking the same questions.

The woman turned to look at him. "Have you seen it? It's a small statue of a golden angel with wings. I beg you, where is it?"

"I saw it, but I thought it was Link's." He answered and gestured to me, but I was already searching for the statuette.

Her face soured, and she turned to me next. "You," She accused. "You are the one who stole it? I would have never guessed! How could you take something that means so much to us?!"

Her accusation stung, made me angry, and I raised my voice in response. "Calm down! You need to know what really happened before you throw your weight around! We met with a goriya that took it, but we got it back." I removed the trophy and presented it to her. Her face lit up and she took it from me. "No need to thank me, I suppose." I shot.

She carefully cradled the statue, and dared not to meet my eyes as her face dropped in shame. Like a misbehaving child, she apologized. "I'm sorry. This trophy is precious to the elder. It has been passed down to us from many generations, from his grandfather's father. I was upset with the thought of it being lost forever. I spoke out of line."

"It's all right," The prince spoke. "At least you have it back now." Now, I just felt offended. It wasn't his place to say it was all right! She accused me of thievery!

"Yes," She agreed, much to my dismay. "Thank you. But I'll have you both know, that I set a reward to whoever brought it back. As soon as you're done here, come meet us at the elder's residence. It's the tallest house in town and it has many windows."

The offer of a reward didn't make me feel any less insulted, but at least she apologized. I opened my mouth to reply, but again, His Highness had to control every decision. "Thanks, but we don't need a reward."

"Well, I'm going home anyway to show my uncle the good news. Stop by if you change your mind." And she paid Diane before stepping back out the door.

"You just say whatever you want without asking me about it." I accused when she was gone.

But he just looked confused. "What? Don't tell me you want a prize. Heroes help people just for doing the right thing, am I wrong?"

I was tired of him using my title as an insult. "No, but you are not the leader. Remember that this is my quest!"

The prince opened his mouth to argue, but we were interrupted by Diane who cleared her throat. She smiled as she stood patiently behind the counter, but her eyebrows were raised like she had knowledge of the argument and wanted it to hush down. "I humbly apologize." The prince stated, approaching the table. "That was very childish. I would like to buy that cheap leather armor."

"Seventy rupees." She replied, and I shook my head in disbelief of the prince's need to control as Eva was sent to retrieve the armor. Seventy rupees might as well have been five for how the prince just handed it over. And that left me wondering just how much money he brought on this journey. Not like that mattered, for such a high rank as his, it was wise to bring a lot of money, but I was more concerned of him bringing too much. It might draw attention, and even thieves if they knew about it.

Eva came to our side of the counter to give His Majesty what he bought. "See you around some time." She told me. I nodded and she returned to work. Our business was done here, and Ruto was just the first stepping stone to pass before we could reach my next palace, Midoro. In the southern swamps.