A note from the Hime no Argh herself–
I debated for a while about whether to put up this note or not. I don't want to alienate anyone, but I do want to say what I have to say because it's been bothering me for a while. Lately I've been getting reviews which are, to put it nicely, a waste of time. Examples of two reviews I received for the last chapter: "COL!" and "Ha! I have reviewed again!" To the "COL!" person–assuming you meant 'cool,' maybe it would be nice if you told me what was cool about it? I would appreciate that a lot. I know it's hard to find things to say about a chapter over and over again, but one word isn't gonna help me. If you can't find anything to praise about the story, how about criticism? I welcome criticism as much as praise, because it helps me improve the fic.
And to the "Ha!" person, do you realize your review has no relation to my story whatsoever? I mean, what was the purpose of submitting it in the first place? Is my fic that bad that it doesn't even merit a thought to its content?
I really don't want to sound like a callous bitch, and believe me, I appreciate the fact that you're reading this story at all. However, I have poured nine months of my time, effort, and creative energy into this story (and it's not even done) with feedback as my only gratification. It would be really great if the feedback had a little more sustenance to it. That's all.
In case there's any confusion, I have no complaints at all about the majority of my reviews. Most of them are extremely gratifying and brighten my little world. So as long as I'm taking the opportunity to complain about a couple of reviews, I'd also like to thank everyone else for their feedback. I really do appreciate it.
Anyway, please enjoy the chapter. This one's a bit short, but the next one is nice and long. :)
***
Chapter 28
Next Step
"This is what we need to do," Zelda began, pacing once more on the grass outside of the Forest Temple. "We're going to have to split up for a time–"
"What?" Rune, Marek, and Bolo cried in unison.
"Miss Zelda, no," Cleo protested. "We've been split up too often."
Zelda shook her head. "I'm sorry, but this is important. I told you I have work for all of you that I need you to complete. Don't you see? My life is not my own, not as long as Ganondorf's still alive. I figured that out a long time ago. And if you're with me, your lives are not your own, either. If that's not agreeable with you, then you can leave."
There was silence.
"All right." Zelda took a deep breath. "Marek, Rune, and Dagger."
"Yes, Miss Zelda?" Dagger piped.
"I need all of you to go to Hylia City," Zelda said steadily, looking between the three she'd named. "You three know the city best. You know the people there, how they think, what makes them tick. I need you there as my representative, telling people that we're building a resistance against Ganondorf."
Dagger's mouth set in a thin line and Rune looked away, but Marek squeezed Dagger's shoulder and looked Zelda in the eye. "We'll do what we can, Miss Zelda."
"Look after the girls, Marek," Zelda implored, and he nodded.
"Azura," she continued, looking to the Gerudo. "Your people. How loyal are they to Ganondorf?"
Azura stared back at her in silence for a moment. At last she said, "Very loyal. They have no other choice."
"What if they were offered another choice? Would they abandon Ganondorf?"
Azura raised her eyebrows. "Some might," she said slowly.
Zelda nodded. "I want you and Nabooru to go to the desert and find us what allies you can among the Gerudo. Azura," she said sharply as the Gerudo looked away, "you of all people should know you simply cannot walk up to Ganondorf and strike him dead. If you want revenge for your sister you're going to have to do things my way, at least for a little while."
"She's right," Nabooru told Azura. "I once served under Ganondorf's command. I know how he works. He rules by fear, and that's why his subjects will abandon him in the end. But like Zelda said, we all need to be allied if we are to stand a chance." She looked at Zelda. "Don't worry. Your Half and I will go west as soon as you need us."
"Right away, then," Zelda said. "Darunia?"
"Your Destinedness?"
Ruto rolled her eyes, but Zelda smiled. "There are rumors that Gorons still live in the city in Death Mountain. There are rumors of more tribes among the mountain plains. Will you go and look for them?"
"Absolutely. Can I have one of your thieves with me?" Darunia requested, staring around at the group. "They know you best, all the better to represent you."
Zelda nodded. "Oberon? Would you mind?"
Oberon gave a two-fingered salute. "Not at all, Miss."
"No need to ask," Ruto said when Zelda looked at her. "You want me to seek out the Zora. And I know whom shall accompany me." She pointed at Parcleus. "You there."
Parcleus blinked at her as though stunned at being addressed by a Zora princess. "Yes? Your Grace?"
"Your Zora ancestors. Where did they reside?" Ruto inquired imperially.
"Not sure, Your Grace," Parcleus mumbled, staring at the ground, "but I think they were tribesmen of the coast."
"Then you and I shall search the seas, as well as the Zora Domain, for survivors," Ruto informed him. "And the proper term of address for a princess is 'Highness'."
"Yes, Your Highness," Parcleus said meekly.
Zelda cleared her throat. "Now that that's settled...I guess all that's left is the party going to Kakariko."
"I'm going," Bolo said immediately. "I'm not letting you out of my sight, Miss Zelda. I'll fight for you just like everyone else."
"As will I," Cleo added, smiling. "I was born in Kakariko, Miss Zelda, so I may be of use."
"Blue and I will accompany you," Ronin offered mildly, "that is, if Link doesn't mind." He grinned wickedly.
Link scowled at him. "Don't push me, Feather Man."
"And Rauru and I will come, of course," Impa concluded.
Zelda nodded. "That's everyone, then. Except..." She looked at Saria, who sat in the shade of an oak tree off to the side of the clearing. "Saria? What will you do?"
Saria smiled. "I shall remain in the Lost Woods, for now, and gather for you what allies I can. Even the smallest of creatures can change the fate of kingdoms," she added mysteriously.
"Very well." Zelda looked at her friends and allies once more, aware that this might be the last time all of them were united. "Work in secret, my friends. Don't let Ganondorf catch wind of what we're up to. Find as many allies as possible. When we meet again, we will rise against the Black King." She refused to say goodbye. "We leave at dawn. Sleep well."
* * *
Link thought he knew where he might find Zelda, and sure enough she'd secluded herself in the courtyard off the side of the temple, away from all the others. "I don't want to have to say goodbye to anyone," she told Link, smiling rather sheepishly. "It's bad luck."
Link sat on the grass beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. "It isn't goodbye, anyway. Right? We'll all see each other again."
Zelda took a deep breath. "Right." She smiled at Link. "Though I'm glad you're coming with me."
"So am I," Link said quietly, threading his fingers through her hair. He looked at her for a moment, this woman he loved, for whom he would do anything. "Hey...Zelda..."
"What is it?" she asked, looking concerned about his sudden gravity.
"It's nothing, really," he said, smiling reassuringly at her. "Just...have you ever thought about the future?"
Zelda blinked. "Well...I suppose," she said hesitantly. "I always used to be a live-for-the-moment kind of person, I think...but with everything that's going on now, I suppose I have to think about the future," she finished wryly.
"Unfortunately," Link said grimly. He hesitated for a moment, then ploughed recklessly ahead. "That's not really what I meant, though. I meant...have you ever thought about our future?"
Zelda looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "Our future," she echoed softly. "I have...a little. Have you?"
"A little," Link confessed with a small smile. "About what happens after Ganondorf, and all."
Zelda laughed a bit. "Wow. After Ganondorf. Sounds like some kind of impossible dream...how can you be sure that there'll be an 'after Ganondorf', anyway?"
"Well, of course I don't know it for sure," Link admitted. "But you have to admit, we've survived a lot since we met. We survived Hyrule Field, we survived the Sacred Realm...hell, we met Ganondorf face-to-face and got away with our lives. Ganondorf is just one more obstacle."
"True." Zelda smiled. "So what have you thought about?"
Link was silent for a few moments, toying with her fingers. "You know, when I first met you," he said at last, "I didn't think you were very pretty."
Zelda arched an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
Link ducked his head, grinning. "Sorry. Maybe I went temporarily blind or something."
"Uh-huh," she said dryly, jabbing him with an elbow.
"Still..." He was quiet for a moment. "When I caught you off-guard in the bar, and then later after the bar fight, when you laughed and hugged me–I realized how wrong I'd initially been, you were very beautiful, and that's how I still see you."
He paused briefly, watching her. Zelda had sobered; she was quiet, her gaze locked with his.
"I admire you a lot, Zelda. You're a strong person. You keep going no matter what happens. What's more, you keep everyone around you going too. The way I see you now, you're stronger and more beautiful than anyone I've ever met. I want to see you that way forever."
"Link," Zelda said unsteadily, "you're not...are you saying...?"
"I guess I am," he said quietly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I said I'd follow you anywhere and I meant it. Not just because you're royalty, not just because you and I are Destined...but because I love you more than anything. And I want to be at your side for the rest of our lives, however short or long that may be."
"Link," Zelda said softly, but he shook his head to silence her.
"I'll ask you when it's all over," he whispered. "When we've defeated Ganondorf."
Zelda looked at him in silence for a long moment. Then she smiled. "I'll be waiting."
* * *
The next morning dawned bright and cool. They met one last time before the Forest Temple–the thieves, the sages, the rogues, and the Destined–for their farewells. Zelda hugged all of her thieves and refused to say a word of parting.
"We'll be meeting again soon," she said firmly.
The sages promised to stay in touch through their connection. "Don't worry," Nabooru told Zelda, squeezing her shoulder, "you're one of us now. If we're in trouble, you'll be the first to know it."
But we won't get into trouble, Darunia added in a voice that rang through Zelda's mind. She looked at him, startled, and smiled.
No, she answered silently, I'm sure you won't.
They parted shortly after dawn–Nabooru and Azura to the west, Marek, Dagger, and Rune to the south, Ruto and Parcleus to the coast, Darunia and Oberon to the mountains, and the rest north to Kakariko.
"So long," Zelda whispered as they set to their course. "See you all again soon."
* * *
To be continued.