Title: The Gerudo's Tale
Summary: Koru, part of the Gerudo tribe, encounters a young boy garbed in green trespassing in the Fortress. Shortly afterwards, Nabooru disappears and Ganondorf has stopped contacting them. With heated questions arising and horrible events occurring, will Koru find the courage to find Ganondorf herself? And what happens when the young boy encounters her once again?
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Zelda characters. I'm only borrowing them... Koru is mine, though.
AN: I wrote this just to amuse myself. I have most of the chapters written down some, I just wanted to share my story with you. It's a little different than most Zelda fanfics. It focuses around the Gerudo tribe, with appearances by our favorite hero in green, Link. I really don't like Malon/Link, I'm more of a Zelda/Link person myself, and since there aren't a lot of romantic opportunities for the poor guy, I wanted to let him have a little something with this character. It's a good read, as my friends say, so I'm hoping you fellow Zelda fans out there will get a kick out of it. It's fun writing this story, and ideas just keep flowing to me. It never ends. I couldn't put a very good summary in, so...yeah...the story is better than it sounds. Promise. Um...I guess this could qualify as very slight AU, as I changed some things around a bit...just some things concerning Nabooru, that's all...
I also want to say, for the record, The Wind Waker was a disgrace to the Legend of Zelda games. Majora's Mask wasn't all that good either. C'mon, Nintendo, what's happening, people? Ocarina of Time was the greatest game in the series, and they have yet to make a game that is worthy of the title "sequel" for the game. Oh yes, I forgot to acknowledge the great Koji Kondo, who wrote most of the Legend of Zelda music. Brilliant, man. This will be a little weird for me to write a story in a girl's point of view that is in an all female tribe, but I'll try my best. I just hope I don't offend any girls out there in any way (insert nervous laugh)....um...right, on with the story. Ah, yes, I do not know a lot about the Gerudos, so if I get something wrong about there past, please correct me. I made some stuff up, and I don't want to embarrass myself, now do I?
Chapter 1
As a child, I was always told that I would go to Hyrule market and have a babe. I never understood what they meant, but as I grew older, I began to understand. My tribe, the Gerudos, was unable to survive unless they bore children. I learned that we strived off of the Hylian magic. Without the Hylian descent, we would be nothing more than mortal. I never quite understood the magic in us, for there was barely any hint of it around our clan, except for the fact that our tribe never bore infant boys.
According to the elders in our tribe, we once consisted of mortal women who were cast away from their homes for wicked deeds. That part they know for sure is true, but somehow, we were all unable to bear a boy. The legend says that a male would be blessed into our clan every one hundred years. There are many stories that the Gerudo had come up with, but the one that really got me...
Nabooru fancied the tale that the Gerudo women were cursed by witches from a distant land for stealing their jewels. I never really believed her, though. It was fun to listen to, to watch her act it out and smile wickedly as we all held our breath during the suspense. It was the same...we always knew the ending, but the way Nabooru told it...it was nothing short of remarkable.
The story was that the Gerudos were once traveling thieves, and we never settled down. Our tribe back then consisted of women that were outcasts, women that were exiled for bad deeds and such. However, one night when the Gerudo women were scouting out in some far away territory, they came across two old ladies who appeared harmless. The leader of the tribe, who was Nabooru's predecessor, stole their riches. They didn't get far with the jewels, for the innocent old women were actually witches and cast a spell on the tribe, cursing them.
"Every one-hundred years, a boy will be blessed into your band of scum," hissed one of the witches, "and without the love of men, you all will perish,"
Nabooru loved telling that tale over and over again at our gatherings. It was custom, and she was proud of the story.
That it why, as I child, I was always told to meet a young man in Hyrule and have a child. Of course, it was to be a girl as the curse says. "Without the love of men," Nabooru said sadly one evening, "we would not be here today,"
"Nabooru?" I asked her one late night as I rested on the pillows, "Can you tell me of my mother again?"
Nabooru smiled warmly and ruffled my red hair, "She was my best friend, little one. She risked her life for me."
It was the same every night. I always got the same answer, nothing more, nothing less. Something in my heart told me that she was keeping something from me.
My name is Koru and I am part of the Gerudo tribe.
***
"Koru?"
I groaned and opened one eye sleepily. "Hunh?"
"Koru? Are you awake?" Mina was kneeling by my bedside and staring at me, her eyes filled with innocence.
"That's a ridiculous question." I muttered as I rolled over with my back to her. I knew I had hurt her feelings. Mina was nothing but a bag of emotions that you could just throw around. "If I was awake," I said, "would I answer you?"
"No, Koru, I'm sorry,"
I glanced over my shoulder as I saw Mina bow in apology.
"Mina!" I exclaimed, jumping up and pulling her to her feet, "What're you doing!?"
"I'm apologizing," Mina answered simply. "I was being unreasonable, Koru,"
"Mina," I said sternly as I placed my hands on my hips, "If you act like that, you're never going to become a warrior like the rest of them!"
Mina paused and then sighed. "You're right..."
"I am," I said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "but you will not act like that, Mina. You will be strong and grow up."
Mina smiled brightly.
"One of these days," I added hastily.
"Right." Mina giggled, "And what about you? What're you going to do when you grow up, Koru?"
"I...I dunno," I admitted, letting my hands fall to my sides in defeat. "I never really thought about it, to tell you the truth,"
"Oh!" Mina cried, "I forgot to tell you! Nabooru summons everyone for a gathering in her chambers,"
"Mina!" I groaned, "Now you want to tell me? C'mon, we're probably late!"
***
We were very late. All of the stone halls were empty and quiet with no sign of the others.
Mina and I approached the door to Nabooru's chambers slowly. Mina knocked on the door softly and offered a weak smile to me.
I rolled my eyes.
The door opened slowly.
I gasped. "Oh no, not you!"
"What?" Gillian was grinning devilishly, "What's wrong?"
"You know perfectly well what's wrong,"
"Well, just get in here, you're late anyway," Gillian said impatiently as she grabbed Mina's arm and jerked her inside.
"Hey!" I said fiercely as I dove in after Mina.
All of the Gerudo were standing in formation with Nabooru up front.
"Mina? Koru?" Nabooru raised an eyebrow, "Why are you late?"
"Mina...um...I am sorry," I bowed in apology.
Nabooru smiled and motioned for us to sit down. I quickly obliged and found a spot next to Lulu and Tarah. The fire in the room cackled warmly, as the deathly cold winds were going to visit tonight. I smiled and nodded in acknowledgment when Lulu and Tarah greeted me, but otherwise kept quiet. Nabooru glanced at Mina and me to ensure we were situated and cleared her throat.
"My sisters," Nabooru said, "now that we are all here at last, we may begin our gathering."
I stole a glance at Mina, who's cheeks were reddening with embarrassment. I stifled a laugh as Nabooru went on.
"It has been many moons since the Great Son of the Gerudos had left to greet the King of Hyrule." - there were murmurs of agreement - "Finally, he has sent word to us that he has gained the trust of the King!"
Everyone cheered as the warrior Gerudos pounded on the drums fiercely. The archers thrusted their spears and arrows into the air in celebration and Mina and I cheered. Nabooru grinned wickedly as she watched everyone celebrate.
She waited patiently until all of us had settled down. "My sisters," she said again, "We are the cursed Gerudo, nothing but humble thieves of Hyrule. The winds of the day burn us as we keep watch over our pitiable amount of food, and the winds of the night chill our precious children into death!"
Many of the Gerudo screamed in rage.
"Who is to blame for this crime? The King of Hyrule!" Nabooru said heatedly, "The King has punished us for the mistakes of our ancestors! He has banned us from buying food from Hyrule market and prohibited trade with the people of Kakiriko! He has arrested countless Gerudo for traveling the Hyrule Field after sunset, and yet he claims we are part of his land!?" Nabooru demanded, "How can that be when the Zora and the Goron creatures have pacts with the people of Hyrule? Why is it that the Gerudo tribe is not treated as we are part of the land of Hyrule?"
Mina sniffed sadly as the rest of the Gerudos howled in rage.
"Why does he do this to us? Because of the great war the Gerudo had long ago against the entire land of Hyrule. We are being punished for a war that was not entirely our fault! For a war that happened before our time!" Nabooru's eyes glinted dangerously, "The King sees us as a threat, as we once were, and wants nothing more than to starve our children to death so we are not such a massive army of warriors! He sees us as a danger to him and his Kingdom and we are! We are the mighty Gerudo!"
The drums pounded wildly once again and the Gerudos danced and cheered. I glanced at Tarah, who's eyes were slowly widening in fear.
"There will be more war?" Mina whispered.
"No," I assured her, "that cannot happen. Ganondorf, Nabooru's brother, is negotiating with the King as we speak,"
Mina nodded, but I could tell she was still not convinced.
"He foolishly believes that he is protecting his Kingdom from us when he bans us and arrests us when it angers us," Nabooru continued, "By making these ridiculous accusations against us, he is brewing war once again!"
Mina shivered.
"How is it, my sisters, that we agreed to become part of Hyrule and are still not treated like we are? Why is that? Because the King of Hyrule is afraid of the Gerudo women. That is why."
"But Ganondorf," someone from the crowds piped up, "The Great Son will bring salvation to the Gerudos!"
Nabooru smiled, "Yes, he will. That I truly believe,"
It was then that I realized that I had been holding my breath. I relaxed a little and sighed.
For a moment, I thought Nabooru was going to actually announce war.
"Ganondorf has indeed spoken with the King and sends us word that the King of Hyrule will recognize our pain and suffering and will see things on our terms and things will change for the best!"
Everyone jumped up and screamed in joy.
"Tonight we will feast!" Nabooru shouted over everyone's shouts of joy, "Tonight we hold a great feast in the dining hall! Afterwards, we shall pray in the Temple that Hyrule will now treat us like its inhabitants!"
Lulu whimpered slightly. She had reason to be worried, I knew. Lulu was the youngest of all healers in the Gerudo. She, like me, was barely ten years old, but was forced to attend the rituals in the Temple because of her title as a healer. I had never been there, as I was too young, but I knew it was a horrid place. When Lulu's mother was found slaughtered in the Hyrule Fields, she was obligated to become the healer. Fate has been cruel to the Gerudo, and the King had only been making it worse. Every time I looked into Lulu's eyes, I could see the pain she was going through. I could feel the horrors she had seen in the Haunted Wasteland, perhaps even in the Temple, but she never spoke of it.
I put a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Think of it," I said brightly, "a feast for all,"
***
It had been many months since the Gerudo had celebrated with a feast. I lay in my pillows dreaming of a different life. A life that wasn't so hungry.
Mina was mumbling softly in her sleep. That was nothing new, I was used to her slow and steady sleep whispers by that point.
I couldn't find my sleep.
Normally, I would be out by this time. I would be exhausted from my archery practice and my practice battles against Nabooru.
That particular night, however, I knew I wouldn't find sleep. Instead, I pushed myself up from my pillows and wrapped my deep purple cloak around my shoulders. I pulled the hood up and made my way out into the corridors. I knew my way around the place well enough, and soon I found myself standing outside of the Gerudo Fortress. I sighed and let my legs dangle over the sides of the stone and wrapped my cloak around tighter. It was chilly, which was nothing new. It was like my people were cursed. The weather was horrible. Nabooru told the truth when she spoke of the chilling night winds and the scorching sun in the morning. There were rumors of the night wind actually killing one of the women who was frail and weak. Mina feared the wind. I chuckled to myself as I thought of Mina. Mina was afraid of everything.
Coward or not, Mina was my best friend and loyal companion. Gillian hated us. She was far older than us and hated me especially because Nabooru treated me like her daughter. My mother was sort of an escaped memory to me. I couldn't remember any of her features, her scent, or her lullabies. Nabooru would never tell me what happened to my mom, I knew already.
Just then, as I thought of my mother, I heard a horse paw the ground nervously.
"What?" I whispered as I slowly got up. I couldn't see anything, but I swore I heard the low neigh of a horse.
Quickly, I silently climbed down the ladder and dropped down the the leveled ground. My hood fell off, but I ignored it and continued to keep a look out. Who would be practicing this late at night? Could it be a trespasser? I glanced over to the gates to the archery field and saw that there were closed and secured. No one was practicing...that only left one other choice.
"Trespasser," I whispered.
There it was again. A soft neigh. This time, I heard someone hiss "shh,"
My eyes widened in panic. I silently cursed myself for not bringing any weapon for defense. There was indeed an intruder, and the person was just beyond the corner...
I leaned against the wall and held my breath. What if this person (or persons?) was heavily armed and big? I was nothing but a ten year old child with little archery experience. However, on instinct, I jumped around the corner and gasped.
It was a boy.
Summary: Koru, part of the Gerudo tribe, encounters a young boy garbed in green trespassing in the Fortress. Shortly afterwards, Nabooru disappears and Ganondorf has stopped contacting them. With heated questions arising and horrible events occurring, will Koru find the courage to find Ganondorf herself? And what happens when the young boy encounters her once again?
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Zelda characters. I'm only borrowing them... Koru is mine, though.
AN: I wrote this just to amuse myself. I have most of the chapters written down some, I just wanted to share my story with you. It's a little different than most Zelda fanfics. It focuses around the Gerudo tribe, with appearances by our favorite hero in green, Link. I really don't like Malon/Link, I'm more of a Zelda/Link person myself, and since there aren't a lot of romantic opportunities for the poor guy, I wanted to let him have a little something with this character. It's a good read, as my friends say, so I'm hoping you fellow Zelda fans out there will get a kick out of it. It's fun writing this story, and ideas just keep flowing to me. It never ends. I couldn't put a very good summary in, so...yeah...the story is better than it sounds. Promise. Um...I guess this could qualify as very slight AU, as I changed some things around a bit...just some things concerning Nabooru, that's all...
I also want to say, for the record, The Wind Waker was a disgrace to the Legend of Zelda games. Majora's Mask wasn't all that good either. C'mon, Nintendo, what's happening, people? Ocarina of Time was the greatest game in the series, and they have yet to make a game that is worthy of the title "sequel" for the game. Oh yes, I forgot to acknowledge the great Koji Kondo, who wrote most of the Legend of Zelda music. Brilliant, man. This will be a little weird for me to write a story in a girl's point of view that is in an all female tribe, but I'll try my best. I just hope I don't offend any girls out there in any way (insert nervous laugh)....um...right, on with the story. Ah, yes, I do not know a lot about the Gerudos, so if I get something wrong about there past, please correct me. I made some stuff up, and I don't want to embarrass myself, now do I?
Chapter 1
As a child, I was always told that I would go to Hyrule market and have a babe. I never understood what they meant, but as I grew older, I began to understand. My tribe, the Gerudos, was unable to survive unless they bore children. I learned that we strived off of the Hylian magic. Without the Hylian descent, we would be nothing more than mortal. I never quite understood the magic in us, for there was barely any hint of it around our clan, except for the fact that our tribe never bore infant boys.
According to the elders in our tribe, we once consisted of mortal women who were cast away from their homes for wicked deeds. That part they know for sure is true, but somehow, we were all unable to bear a boy. The legend says that a male would be blessed into our clan every one hundred years. There are many stories that the Gerudo had come up with, but the one that really got me...
Nabooru fancied the tale that the Gerudo women were cursed by witches from a distant land for stealing their jewels. I never really believed her, though. It was fun to listen to, to watch her act it out and smile wickedly as we all held our breath during the suspense. It was the same...we always knew the ending, but the way Nabooru told it...it was nothing short of remarkable.
The story was that the Gerudos were once traveling thieves, and we never settled down. Our tribe back then consisted of women that were outcasts, women that were exiled for bad deeds and such. However, one night when the Gerudo women were scouting out in some far away territory, they came across two old ladies who appeared harmless. The leader of the tribe, who was Nabooru's predecessor, stole their riches. They didn't get far with the jewels, for the innocent old women were actually witches and cast a spell on the tribe, cursing them.
"Every one-hundred years, a boy will be blessed into your band of scum," hissed one of the witches, "and without the love of men, you all will perish,"
Nabooru loved telling that tale over and over again at our gatherings. It was custom, and she was proud of the story.
That it why, as I child, I was always told to meet a young man in Hyrule and have a child. Of course, it was to be a girl as the curse says. "Without the love of men," Nabooru said sadly one evening, "we would not be here today,"
"Nabooru?" I asked her one late night as I rested on the pillows, "Can you tell me of my mother again?"
Nabooru smiled warmly and ruffled my red hair, "She was my best friend, little one. She risked her life for me."
It was the same every night. I always got the same answer, nothing more, nothing less. Something in my heart told me that she was keeping something from me.
My name is Koru and I am part of the Gerudo tribe.
***
"Koru?"
I groaned and opened one eye sleepily. "Hunh?"
"Koru? Are you awake?" Mina was kneeling by my bedside and staring at me, her eyes filled with innocence.
"That's a ridiculous question." I muttered as I rolled over with my back to her. I knew I had hurt her feelings. Mina was nothing but a bag of emotions that you could just throw around. "If I was awake," I said, "would I answer you?"
"No, Koru, I'm sorry,"
I glanced over my shoulder as I saw Mina bow in apology.
"Mina!" I exclaimed, jumping up and pulling her to her feet, "What're you doing!?"
"I'm apologizing," Mina answered simply. "I was being unreasonable, Koru,"
"Mina," I said sternly as I placed my hands on my hips, "If you act like that, you're never going to become a warrior like the rest of them!"
Mina paused and then sighed. "You're right..."
"I am," I said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "but you will not act like that, Mina. You will be strong and grow up."
Mina smiled brightly.
"One of these days," I added hastily.
"Right." Mina giggled, "And what about you? What're you going to do when you grow up, Koru?"
"I...I dunno," I admitted, letting my hands fall to my sides in defeat. "I never really thought about it, to tell you the truth,"
"Oh!" Mina cried, "I forgot to tell you! Nabooru summons everyone for a gathering in her chambers,"
"Mina!" I groaned, "Now you want to tell me? C'mon, we're probably late!"
***
We were very late. All of the stone halls were empty and quiet with no sign of the others.
Mina and I approached the door to Nabooru's chambers slowly. Mina knocked on the door softly and offered a weak smile to me.
I rolled my eyes.
The door opened slowly.
I gasped. "Oh no, not you!"
"What?" Gillian was grinning devilishly, "What's wrong?"
"You know perfectly well what's wrong,"
"Well, just get in here, you're late anyway," Gillian said impatiently as she grabbed Mina's arm and jerked her inside.
"Hey!" I said fiercely as I dove in after Mina.
All of the Gerudo were standing in formation with Nabooru up front.
"Mina? Koru?" Nabooru raised an eyebrow, "Why are you late?"
"Mina...um...I am sorry," I bowed in apology.
Nabooru smiled and motioned for us to sit down. I quickly obliged and found a spot next to Lulu and Tarah. The fire in the room cackled warmly, as the deathly cold winds were going to visit tonight. I smiled and nodded in acknowledgment when Lulu and Tarah greeted me, but otherwise kept quiet. Nabooru glanced at Mina and me to ensure we were situated and cleared her throat.
"My sisters," Nabooru said, "now that we are all here at last, we may begin our gathering."
I stole a glance at Mina, who's cheeks were reddening with embarrassment. I stifled a laugh as Nabooru went on.
"It has been many moons since the Great Son of the Gerudos had left to greet the King of Hyrule." - there were murmurs of agreement - "Finally, he has sent word to us that he has gained the trust of the King!"
Everyone cheered as the warrior Gerudos pounded on the drums fiercely. The archers thrusted their spears and arrows into the air in celebration and Mina and I cheered. Nabooru grinned wickedly as she watched everyone celebrate.
She waited patiently until all of us had settled down. "My sisters," she said again, "We are the cursed Gerudo, nothing but humble thieves of Hyrule. The winds of the day burn us as we keep watch over our pitiable amount of food, and the winds of the night chill our precious children into death!"
Many of the Gerudo screamed in rage.
"Who is to blame for this crime? The King of Hyrule!" Nabooru said heatedly, "The King has punished us for the mistakes of our ancestors! He has banned us from buying food from Hyrule market and prohibited trade with the people of Kakiriko! He has arrested countless Gerudo for traveling the Hyrule Field after sunset, and yet he claims we are part of his land!?" Nabooru demanded, "How can that be when the Zora and the Goron creatures have pacts with the people of Hyrule? Why is it that the Gerudo tribe is not treated as we are part of the land of Hyrule?"
Mina sniffed sadly as the rest of the Gerudos howled in rage.
"Why does he do this to us? Because of the great war the Gerudo had long ago against the entire land of Hyrule. We are being punished for a war that was not entirely our fault! For a war that happened before our time!" Nabooru's eyes glinted dangerously, "The King sees us as a threat, as we once were, and wants nothing more than to starve our children to death so we are not such a massive army of warriors! He sees us as a danger to him and his Kingdom and we are! We are the mighty Gerudo!"
The drums pounded wildly once again and the Gerudos danced and cheered. I glanced at Tarah, who's eyes were slowly widening in fear.
"There will be more war?" Mina whispered.
"No," I assured her, "that cannot happen. Ganondorf, Nabooru's brother, is negotiating with the King as we speak,"
Mina nodded, but I could tell she was still not convinced.
"He foolishly believes that he is protecting his Kingdom from us when he bans us and arrests us when it angers us," Nabooru continued, "By making these ridiculous accusations against us, he is brewing war once again!"
Mina shivered.
"How is it, my sisters, that we agreed to become part of Hyrule and are still not treated like we are? Why is that? Because the King of Hyrule is afraid of the Gerudo women. That is why."
"But Ganondorf," someone from the crowds piped up, "The Great Son will bring salvation to the Gerudos!"
Nabooru smiled, "Yes, he will. That I truly believe,"
It was then that I realized that I had been holding my breath. I relaxed a little and sighed.
For a moment, I thought Nabooru was going to actually announce war.
"Ganondorf has indeed spoken with the King and sends us word that the King of Hyrule will recognize our pain and suffering and will see things on our terms and things will change for the best!"
Everyone jumped up and screamed in joy.
"Tonight we will feast!" Nabooru shouted over everyone's shouts of joy, "Tonight we hold a great feast in the dining hall! Afterwards, we shall pray in the Temple that Hyrule will now treat us like its inhabitants!"
Lulu whimpered slightly. She had reason to be worried, I knew. Lulu was the youngest of all healers in the Gerudo. She, like me, was barely ten years old, but was forced to attend the rituals in the Temple because of her title as a healer. I had never been there, as I was too young, but I knew it was a horrid place. When Lulu's mother was found slaughtered in the Hyrule Fields, she was obligated to become the healer. Fate has been cruel to the Gerudo, and the King had only been making it worse. Every time I looked into Lulu's eyes, I could see the pain she was going through. I could feel the horrors she had seen in the Haunted Wasteland, perhaps even in the Temple, but she never spoke of it.
I put a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Think of it," I said brightly, "a feast for all,"
***
It had been many months since the Gerudo had celebrated with a feast. I lay in my pillows dreaming of a different life. A life that wasn't so hungry.
Mina was mumbling softly in her sleep. That was nothing new, I was used to her slow and steady sleep whispers by that point.
I couldn't find my sleep.
Normally, I would be out by this time. I would be exhausted from my archery practice and my practice battles against Nabooru.
That particular night, however, I knew I wouldn't find sleep. Instead, I pushed myself up from my pillows and wrapped my deep purple cloak around my shoulders. I pulled the hood up and made my way out into the corridors. I knew my way around the place well enough, and soon I found myself standing outside of the Gerudo Fortress. I sighed and let my legs dangle over the sides of the stone and wrapped my cloak around tighter. It was chilly, which was nothing new. It was like my people were cursed. The weather was horrible. Nabooru told the truth when she spoke of the chilling night winds and the scorching sun in the morning. There were rumors of the night wind actually killing one of the women who was frail and weak. Mina feared the wind. I chuckled to myself as I thought of Mina. Mina was afraid of everything.
Coward or not, Mina was my best friend and loyal companion. Gillian hated us. She was far older than us and hated me especially because Nabooru treated me like her daughter. My mother was sort of an escaped memory to me. I couldn't remember any of her features, her scent, or her lullabies. Nabooru would never tell me what happened to my mom, I knew already.
Just then, as I thought of my mother, I heard a horse paw the ground nervously.
"What?" I whispered as I slowly got up. I couldn't see anything, but I swore I heard the low neigh of a horse.
Quickly, I silently climbed down the ladder and dropped down the the leveled ground. My hood fell off, but I ignored it and continued to keep a look out. Who would be practicing this late at night? Could it be a trespasser? I glanced over to the gates to the archery field and saw that there were closed and secured. No one was practicing...that only left one other choice.
"Trespasser," I whispered.
There it was again. A soft neigh. This time, I heard someone hiss "shh,"
My eyes widened in panic. I silently cursed myself for not bringing any weapon for defense. There was indeed an intruder, and the person was just beyond the corner...
I leaned against the wall and held my breath. What if this person (or persons?) was heavily armed and big? I was nothing but a ten year old child with little archery experience. However, on instinct, I jumped around the corner and gasped.
It was a boy.