~29~
"What happened?" Zarij groaned, sitting up. She closed her eyes and shook her head and then opened them again. She looked up into the faces of her friends and then her eyes began to fill with tears and her face fell. "I—I'm so sorry…I tried to hurt you…I'm sorry…" she mumbled tearfully.
"It's alright," said Nayru, "we know you couldn't help it… the ring… it is very powerful."
"How do you know about my ring?" Zarij asked, lifting her head up.
"Because…you see Zarij… There's a legend that says that evil will have a second birth. That the evil that plagued this land before will return in the same form. But the hero would be gone… and there would be four new heroes… three would bear the goddesses rings and one the staff of light… you are the third goddess heir. Londaris here, and I, we too bear rings…. Not as powerful as yours though…" Nayru held out her hand as did Londaris, to show her the rings. Zarij held out her hand. It was still covered in bandages. "I couldn't control its power… I do not deserve to bear it…" she cried.
"Don't blame yourself Zarij!" Karzad said. "Your ring is the most powerful and the most influential… You have suffered much… it is easy to believe that in your weakness the ring's magic could take root in your mind." Zarij still cried.
"I can't do it…It's too hard…" she said.
"Look Zarij," Nayru said, grabbing Zarij's shoulder and lifting her face up to hers. "You are the strongest person I have ever met. You have been through more than I could ever imagine, and you have fought valiantly against it while you could…If I were you I would have given up hope long ago, but you have retained your strength and spirit for longer than I could have imagined anyone could. You have a brave and kind heart Zarij and we don't blame you in the least for what happened… It was just that after so long and having so much evil surrounding you every day…it was too much for you. But now it's okay… I know that with help, you'll be alright." There was a pause and then Nayru continued, "And what happened doesn't matter any more! We're here! And we don't care what happened, we just want to help you, to help all of Hyrule." Zarij looked up at Nayru and saw the truth in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry…" Zarij choked. "I'll do what I must…"
****
They decided it would be too risky to try another penetration of the Gerudo fortress so they would try to look for the fourth relic-bearer. They stayed in the temple for several days until Zarij regained her strength. Nayru lent her some extra clothes and she armed herself with her old Gerudo saber, a small dart gun of hers, and a makeshift wooden shield. They escaped through the underground entrance and followed the small walkway that Nayru and Londaris had found. After a time they reached the hole where they had fallen through and climbed out. They struggled up the same steep hill and then looked around them.
"The horses probably went back to Lon Lon," Nayru said, surveying their surroundings. "We ought to give them a break," said Londaris, "We can go on foot back through the marshes. It will take longer, but it will give us time to think about who might be the last relic-bearer, and we can see if my people have found anything out." They all agreed and re-entered the swamp. Luckily, it was a bit rainy at that point, so the sun was not so hot. The humidity was still heavy, but they slogged through the swamp as best they could. After two days they reached the same grassy hills where they had stopped before. When Nayru saw them she grinned to herself and looked down at her left ring finger. Her engagement ring. She felt a warm glow inside her as she looked over at Karzad. He gave her small smile, and she smiled back, feeling a fluttering sensation inside her stomach. In spite of the current conditions of Hyrule, she thought to herself, she couldn't have been happier.
****
They camped there that night and during the night Nayru awoke. She looked over at Karzad's bedroll and saw that it was empty. She got up silently and looked around. She saw a form hidden in shadow at the edge of the grassy area. She tiptoed away softly and moved toward it. As she got closer she saw that it was Karzad. He seemed deep in thought. She crept up to the grass next to him and sat down. He seemed to hardly notice. He looked off into space, his brow furrowed. After a few moments of silence, Nayru cleared her throat questioningly. Karzad snapped out of his trance-like state and looked over at Nayru.
"Oh, hello, what are you doing up?" He said in a strange voice.
"Nothing, though I might ask you the same question," Nayru said in mock suspicion.
"I was just thinking…About this war, about Ganondorf… And the relic bearers… I suppose that I had hardened myself to the true facts, but…" Karzad paused then said, "What happens if we don't win?"
"What?" Said Nayru, "What happens if Ganondorf wins? What happens if the rings don't work…or what if you can't find the staff bearer? What then? I mean… I know Zarij; she'll want to fight anyway… So will Londaris… And you… But the legend says that without all of the four relics all challengers of evil will die in the cause… I mean, what happens… if I lose you? I don't want to risk that." Karzad drifted off. There was a pause.
"Wait… Don't tell me you think we shouldn't even try!" Nayru said, a bit indignantly. "Well," said Karzad. "What happens if all the relics aren't found? You may be killed!" Nayru looked at him,
"What are you saying? Don't talk like that! We will find the other relics! Everything will be fine!" she said.
"How do you know that?" He countered, "I just don't want you to be hurt!"
"Well I won't! I know that finding the other relics is possible! It has to be! Evil just can't win! It can't! I won't let it! And I most certainly won't give up before the fight has even begun! I'll never concede to Ganondorf! Never!" Nayru got up and began to walk away angrily.
"Wait!" called Karzad. "Wait." Nayru stopped, but remained standing with her back to him. "Nayru I'm sorry," Said Karzad, standing and moving over to her. "I just was thinking of how much I love you… and…I almost lost you…. I don't know what I'd do if you were gone… I just…I just don't want to see you hurt—in any way! I suppose I just started coming up with all the worst case scenarios…ways that I might loose you. This quest…all that we're doing now… it's so dangerous… I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you…" Nayru turned around slowly and then threw herself onto Karzad in an embrace.
"Oh Karzad," She said, "I don't want anything to happen to you either! Never! But there are higher things at stake then simply our lives right now! The entirety of Hyrule is in serious danger… we have to be selfless my love… we have to… And remember, I won't love you till the day I die. I will love you for all eternity… forever…no matter what happens or what comes between us… even death…" Karzad held her back from him and looked into her eyes
"I'm sorry Nayru… I'm just… well—I'm just so afraid of dying…of you dying… I need your love and your help to make me realize that no matter what you'll love me… I fear that you will forget me if I die… or that if you die I'll forget you…" Nayru smiled. "Karzad, when you were hurt, and you nearly died… I realized that no matter what happens to me, I would forever and always love you. It doesn't matter what happens, Karzad. Love never fails." At that moment Nayru's ring began to glow slightly in a blue gleam, and a strong, loving warmth ran through both of them, from the tips of their toes to the tops of their heads. "Forever?" Nayru whispered, holding him close,
"Forever," Karzad replied.
*****
They set out again the next day, moving through the boggy mud. The clouds and rain had cleared, and once again it was sweltering. The work was slow and hard as they slogged through, but they kept a steady pace and talked about their quest the entire time.
"I wonder who the fourth could be…" Zarij would often comment.
"Well the writings say it could be anyone… but, they would have to be worthy, good, and strong. Also the texts refer to him as one with much power, and usually male." Rondansa said.
"I wonder who it could be," Nayru said, repeating Zarij's pondering. They continued to brainstorm. Then late in the day, just as the sun began to set, they reached the Sheikah city. Zarij gasped at the gorgeous sight, which looked even more beautiful in the pink sunset. The five weary travelers made their way over to the glade of towering trees. Londaris whistled sharply and Melasef's head popped from the door of his hut. He smiled to see the travelers, and then came down the stairs quickly and lowered down the rope ladder. They climbed up quickly and Melasef greeted them. Well isn't this a motley bunch," he said, surveying the group.
"Who is the newcomer?" he asked.
"Melasef, this is Zarij, she is the third ring bearer." Londaris said, introducing the two. "Ah, the third…. And am I right to imagine finding her went pretty well?" he asked looking over Zarij's shoulder at the others.
"Umm, pretty much," Nayru answered, shooting a quick glance over at Rondansa.
"Yes, it was no trouble," he said quickly.
"May I?" said Melasef, motioning at her hand. Zarij slowly lifted her hand up to Melasef, and he admired the ring.
"Fresh scars," he muttered, looking at her hands more closely. Zarij pulled her hand away. "So I see you have discovered your ring's power." Melasef said. Zarij looked at him closely, then simply nodded mutely. "Well, enough talk, you must be weary from your travels, I know where you can have warm beds, and good food to eat, to strengthen you before you continue your quest."
*****
He led them up a different staircase to a much bigger hut that was much more lavishly built than his own.
"This is our guest house, we have been expecting you, but still, please excuse the slight disarray, we have not had so many guests in quite a long time." He said. He led them in and it was absolutely beautiful inside. There was a soft glow coming from a warm fire in the fireplace in the center. The windows had beautiful colored panes, and the floor was carpeted with a thick plush rug. There were six beds; each covered with purple fluffy thick down comforters, and huge soft feather pillows. The furniture was all overstuffed and covered in purple silk and satin, with intricate golden embroidery snaking over it. There was a long table of polished mahogany that sat with a set of six gold plated dishes on it, waiting to be covered with the steaming food that was waiting in serving dishes on the table to the side. There were silken robes and thick velvet slippers sitting on each of the beautiful beds, and a door opened up to the side where they could glimpse six porcelain tubs, full of steaming water and thick foam. The five were overwhelmed as they stumbled in. Not even Novur could find a thing to complain about.
"I will leave you now, enjoy," said Melasef, shutting the door behind him. Zarij collapsed into one of the deep armchairs that encircled the fireplace, while Nayru made her was over to one of the soft beds, sitting down and surveying the room with wonder. Karzad went over to the fireplace, and flexed his stiff, cold fingers in front of it, closing his eyes and relaxing. Rondansa went over to the bookshelf in the corner and dug out the thickest volume, then settled down in one of the plush armchairs as well. Londaris sat walked over to the table of food, his eyes, hungrily roving over the feast. After a moment Nayru stood.
"How about this for a plan," She said. "We all take baths, get clean and comfortable, and then eat before we turn in,"
"Sounds good to me," Karzad said, opening his eyes.
"Mhmm," murmured Rondansa, closing the book. Londaris looked reluctant to leave the food table, but at last consented. They all went into the bathroom, and six sets of silky curtains hid each tub from the others view. The all undressed quickly and sank into their baths.
****
When they were done they came out and dried off with the huge thick, warm towels, before slipping on their robes and slippers and going to the table. They all got their plates and served themselves heaping helpings of all the delicious food. There were mounds of mashed potatoes, a huge freshly roasted turkey, big loaves of fresh warm bread, and creamy, delicious golden butter. There were freshly boiled green peas and a thick, rich vegetable stew, as well as a steaming mince pie. There were pitchers of thick creamy milk, as well as a tangy fruit juice, and a small bottle of wine. There were four steaming pies for dessert, one cherry, one blueberry, one sweet chestnut, and one apple. They ate and talked deep into the night, and then they began to get drowsy. With bellies full of warm heartening food, and bodies weary from long travels, the five sank into their soft beds and fell into deep sleep.