Chapter 2
AN: Link talks. Oh yes. He has the ability to talk. And he isn't very shy. Heh, heh. Thank you for the advice, I'll follow it. I didn't really like writing the first chapter that much, but the second chapter I like. I like Link being the silent shy boy, but I changed him for this particular story.
He didn't dare move, and neither did I.
"W-what are you doing here?" I tried to sound intimidating, but I couldn't help but stutter. He was a child, like me, no more than 10 years old. Yet...he owned a horse and had the guts to come into the Gerudo Fortress while those foolish carpenters by the bridge feared our name? "And what is your name?"
"Link," the boy whispered.
"You have yet to answer my first question,"
The boy Link raised an eyebrow. "You are in no position to be asking such questions, seeing as you are unarmed and vulnerable,"
My eyes widened at the boy's tone.
"Furthermore," the boy continued, "I am far more skilled than you are,"
"Oh really?" I asked, "You think I can't beat you because I'm a girl?"
"No, because I am more skilled in combat then you," he grinned as he unsheathed his sword. His hands were shaking, however. He was skilled, but he wasn't about to attack a girl. Either that or he was deceiving me.
This boy had a lot of nerve.
"This isn't fair." I protested backing away.
"But don't you wish to see who is better?"
I shook my head. "I already know that answer to that question. It is I, not you. It is simply the fact that I do not have a weapon,"
The boy tilted his head to one sighed and studied me for a while. He then shrugged and put his sword away.
"What is your name?" he asked. "I've never seen you before when I came here seven years later,"
What he said then confused me. "Seven years later?" I asked blankly, "What do you mean seven years later?"
"Answer my question," Link said.
"I am...Koru,"
"Koru?"
I nodded. "But what are you doing here at such a late hour?" I demanded, "Do you have any idea what would happen if someone other than I had heard you?"
Link
shrugged, "I would've been captured?"
"No, you would've been beaten and then thrown out," I retorted.
The boy grinned, "Alright. I will leave. But not after knowing one thing. What are you doing out in the dead of night? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is around Hyrule?"
"I could just turn you in right now and wake up the entire Fortress if I wanted to," I muttered darkly. Now he was just being annoying.
"Go ahead," The boy's grin widened, "Nothing is stopping you,"
I hesitated.
"Ah, but you cannot?"
I sighed and shook my head. "Go before you make any more noise you fool,"
"You are a fool for letting me escape," Link said as he turned his horse around and galloped out of the Gerudo Fortress. "And I will meet you tomorrow! And I promise you a battle in seven years!"
***
I had no idea what he was talking about, but I was determined to find out. The next day, Lulu had come into my chambers and spoke with me of Nabooru.
"What happened to her?" I demanded, sitting up suddenly.
"She wished to stay in the Temple." Lulu explained, "She wanted me to go into the Temple for something silver, but I couldn't. I was too afraid." Lulu was sobbing now, and I could do nothing but comfort her.
"Lulu," I whispered, "its okay,"
"No, it's not. I am not a healer, Koru. I am a girl. A helpless girl..." Lulu sobbed, "Nothing...I'm nothing..."
"No, Lulu, don't say that,"
"Nabooru...there was a boy...and he found them for her...but....Nabooru...."
"What?"
"I'm sorry..." Lulu managed to choke out, "I'm sorry...Nabooru...I couldn't help her...I am a disgrace..."
"No, no you're not, Lulu," I offered as she collapsed in my arms and sobbed. I stroked her hair, "No, no, Lulu, you're not a bad person,"
"I'm so sorry...I don't belong here,"
Mina came rushing into the room. "Koru! It is time for your archery practice! But Nabooru is not here!"
Lulu nodded gravely, "I told you...she is gone,"
I sighed and exchanged glances with Mina.
"I'm going to find Nabooru," I said solemnly. "If she is not back by sunset, I will be going after her. Do not tell any of the elders. I should be back by dawn,"
"No, you don't understand!" Lulu cried, but I was already out the door. I was late for my archery practice.
***
I slipped into my cloak once again. Mina watched me sadly.
"Everyone was looking for Nabooru today,"
"I know," I mumbled. "I have no idea what has happened to her. What could have persuaded her to stay there?"
"Koru, don't do this," Mina said, "Please, don't! Lulu told me all about the Haunted Wastelands,"
"I have heard the stories," I said quickly as I pulled my hood over my head. "And I know that we Gerudos have some other way of getting there,"
"And what is that?"
"Poes." I grinned, "Nabooru told me of the poes. They will guide you,"
Mina shivered, "It sounds dangerous, Koru..."
I smiled, "This particular Poe will lead me to the Temple. I won't be long, Mina. And," I added hastily, "dangerous is what makes it fun, Mina,"
Without another word, I left through the door and swiftly moved down the ladder. I secured my red flaming hair into a tight bun and made sure my sword was securely tucked away in my belt. Just as I reached the gates, I heard someone laugh quietly.
I swirled around and gasped.
"You again!"
Link grinned, "Yep. Me again."
"What're you doing here again? I won't be so easy on you this time," I said angrily as I pulled out a small curved sword, "Now it's even,"
Link backed away slowly
with his hands held up, "Wait a second...wait a second..."
"Are you afraid?"
"No," Link said defensively, "I just wanted to talk with you, but I guess I'm going to fight you instead," The boy took a step back and unsheathed his sword, this time not so happily, "I don't want to fight you," he said, "I just wanted to talk,"
"I can't talk," I said irritably, "Everything is going wrong!"
"What's wrong?"
"I don't have time for this," I muttered as I turned away.
Link grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. He studied me for a second, his eyes narrowed and angry. "You have time for a battle,"
"No I - "
"Yes, you do," Link said, cutting me off. "If I win, you tell me what is bothering you. I can help,"
I hesitated, but figured I might as well get it over with. This boy was annoying me, and wouldn't let me go. I had to find Nabooru before something happened to her. I charged at him suddenly and brought my sword up to meet his. "You can't help me!" I shouted.
The boy's blade clashed with mine and so began a struggle. He pushed against me blade and I against his. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes, "I...will...be...able to...help...if you'd...just...let me try!!" he grunted as he pushed me off of him. I swiftly jumped backwards and dodged one of his blows, causing him to be off guard for a moment. I jumped to the side and brought my blade down on his shield, our battle clashes going into the night. Link stepped back and thrusted his blade out at me, this time causing me to lose my balance.
Link took that opportunity to bring his sword up to my neck.
"Can we talk now?"
"I – I can't...I told you I can't..."
"Why not?" Link demanded, his sword pushing slowly into my neck. I whimpered as I tried feebly to get away. Link frowned, "I don't want to hurt you, Koru,"
"You...remember my name?"
Link smiled, "Yes, of course I do. You're a very pretty girl,"
I blushed but quickly realized that this boy who had just called me beautiful was pushing his sword into my neck. "I have to find Nabooru..." I said weakly.
"Who is Nabooru?"
"The leader of our tribe," I muttered, "She's gone to the Spirit Temple to pray,"
"Ah, she was the fool who was captured by the witches,"
"What?" I froze. "Lulu...spoke the truth?"
"Nothing, nothing. This will take a lot of explaining, I see..." Link sighed, "Well, I am not the Link you met yesterday," Link paused and tilted his head, "Wait, I did meet you yesterday, right?"
"What?"
"Nabooru, she was the guard that was standing outside of the Spirit Temple. She was a fool."
"Stop it! I need to find Nabooru!!" I said irritably. Link only tightened his grip on the sword and narrowed his eyes. "Alright. She needs someone to get her something silver from inside the Temple. According to my friend, Nabooru isn't able to get deep enough into the Temple to get the silver thing because she is so big. She needs a child,"
"And you were going to go get it for her?"
I nodded.
"Well, don't go there. I already did. I retrieved them, and Nabooru was foolish enough to let her guard down. She's gone, Koru." Link said, "I have to return to my time, now."
I glared at him, "You're lying..."
Link paused and relaxed his grip on the sword. "Okay, I'll let you go. I had no intention of fighting you, I say again,"
I rolled my eyes.
"I didn't! Really!" Link said crossly, "it was your fault...you were being stubborn,"
"Drop your weapon!" Mina shouted, "Gerudos! We have an intruder in the Fortress!"
"No Mina!" I gasped as Gerudos began to poor out of the Fortress with their weapons raised. "Stop! Mina!"
Mina was shaking slightly and breathing heavily, "Don't worry, Koru, I saw the whole thing. He'll be locked up until Nabooru comes back to find something to do with him,"
"No, you don't understand!" I protested. Deaf to my pleas, Mina ordered the Gerudos to take him away and I was shoved out of the way immediately as the elders grabbed Link roughly. "Link!" I cried, "Wait! Link! He is just a child like me!"
"You think I am a child!" Link shouted over the cries of the other Gerudo, "But I am far older than it seems!"
Link was doing his best to put up a fight, but I watched the Gerudos carry him away into the Fortress to his doom.
***