Chapter 3

AN: Things will get a little more confusing. Warning, if you have not completed the Spirit Temple or you haven't gotten up to that point yet, it will be a little confusing. To answer your question, I'm not sure Koji Kondo composed Hyrule Symphony. I think he did, though, but I'm not 100% sure... Also, I'm not sure I want this to be a romance between Koru and Link. I tend to really suck at romance stories. I am a guy, after all. I'm gonna think on that. Hokoru in Japanese means "to boast, be proud of", so I shortened it to "Koru" because she's so proud. I like her. Um...this story does follow the story line of OoT, but some things I changed around a bit. It basically is the tale of the Gerudos, and what happened to them while Link was off saving the world. Thank you, my loyal readers. I like reviews.

"What was he doing here?" Gillian demanded, her eyes glittering dangerously.

                "I don't know. He said he wanted to talk to me," I said, my head hanging low to the ground. Whether I liked it or not, Gillian was indeed my elder, and I had to respect her while Nabooru was gone.

                "He wanted to talk to you, eh?" Gillian sneered, "Did you ever meet him prior to your little stunt?"

                "Yes," I answered, "I met him yesterday,"

                "What was he doing here?"

                "I don't remember," I was telling the truth. I don't think he even answered me when I asked him that question the night before.

                "Why didn't you alert the guards?" Gillian's face was blotched with anger, now.

                "Because," I mumbled, "he was gone within the minute," Another lie.

                Gillian sighed and stared long and hard at me, "You're lying to me. You're spoken with the boy many times, haven't you?"

                "No, I met him for the first time yesterday," I said earnestly, "I've never seen him prior to that!"

                Gillian narrowed her eyes.

                "Gillian, I wouldn't lie to you," Yet another lie.

                Gillian buried her face into her hands and sighed, "Go speak to him," she said, "he has been asking for you,"

                "...Me?"

                Gillian nodded. "You may speak with him. Try and find out what he is doing here. We do not kidnap children, Koru, you know how valuable a child is,"

                I nodded and left Gillian's chambers.

***

I opened passed through the doors slowly and saw Link sitting in the corner of his cell, playing with a ceramic flute.

                "What is that?" I asked suddenly, my eyes widening in admiration.

                Link ignored me at first, "You said they'd just beat me and throw me out. Instead, I've been captured."

                "You would rather be beaten?"

                Link nodded. "I can handle beatings. Containment, I cannot,"

                I raised an eyebrow, "Are you going to tell me where you got that or not?"

                "This old thing?" Link grinned, "It's called the Fairy Ocarina,"

                "Where'd you get that?"

                Link raised an eyebrow, his grin widening mischievously, "Well..."

                "I've never seen one of those,"

                "I have another one, but this Fairy Ocarina...it's so special to me." Link said, "The other one is blue, and I use it for...other reasons..."            

                Link's voice trailed off again.

                "Link?" I asked him.

                "Would you like me to play a song for you?" the boy asked suddenly. I nodded. I watched in awe as he let his fingers slip over each of the instrument's openings skillfully, each note coming out pure and whole. Link's eyes closed as he played his song and swayed with the music absentmindedly. I did too as I felt everything wash away. Only the music mattered to me...

                "You like that song, I guess?" Link's voice interrupted my thoughts. He was grinning again. I must've looked like a fool.

                "Yes...it's beautiful..." I murmured. "Where did you get it?"

                Link's eyes saddened a bit, and I immediately regretted asking him and pushing the question. "I got it from a friend of mine..."

                "Where did you learn the song?"

                Link shrugged, "Well, I've had it for quite a while, you know. When you're a traveler, there isn't much to amuse you. This thing," Link held up his ocarina, "is always soothing. It always makes me feel better, even though I know what...never mind..."


                "What?" I persisted, "What do you know?"

                Link let out a nervous laugh, "Well...that's kind of a secret between me and the Princess of Destiny,"

                "You mean...Princess Zelda?" I asked, "You mean to tell me that you know Princess Zelda?"

                "Well...yeah," Link rummaged through his leather pouch that was slung over his back and pulled out a crumpled up paper. "I kind of...forgot about it," Link admitted.

                He handed me the paper through the cell bars and I slowly unfolded it.

                I gasped when I saw the handwriting.

This is Link...

He is under orders to save Hyrule by the Princess Zelda.

-Princess Zelda of Hyrule

                "This...can't be..." I murmured, my eyes reading the note again and again.

                "It is," Link said triumphantly, "See the Royal Seal?"

                I nodded, still unable to believe what I was looking at.

                "How do you know Princess Zelda?" I asked as I handed him the note back, "And what does she mean about saving Hyrule?"

                Link smiled mischievously, "Well, actually, I promised her I could keep a secret."

                "You promised the Princess Zelda you could keep a secret. You didn't promise her that you would keep this particular secret," I said, putting my hands on my hips, "Now, you determined little booger, are you going to tell me or not?"

                Link laughed, "I've been called many things in my travels. Fairy Boy, Mr. Hero, Forest Boy, and Navi even called me lazy! But I think this takes the red rupee!" he said, throwing up his hands in defeat, "I've been called a booger!"

                He wasn't helping. This was a serious matter. This boy was allies with the Kingdom of Hyrule obviously, and he was just caught sneaking around in the Gerudo Valley, where Hyrule's sworn enemies were nearly planning an invasion the previous night. And what was this talk of saving Hyrule?

                "Link," I said, "this is serious,"

                "Yes, of course it is," Link nodded in agreement, "I cannot tell you, Koru. You see, I have been rewarded these fine jewels," he said, pulling out a sparkling green jewel and a deep blue sapphire. He put them back in and glanced at me, "But this," he said, revealing a flaming red treasure, "this is the greatest jewel I own,"

                "Why is that one so special?" I asked, "They all look like they are connected to each other somehow,"

                "Because," Link answered simply, "This one I got from the Gorons on Death Mountain."

                "Really?" I murmured as he handed me the jewel through the bars. "I've heard of them, but I've never been out of the tribe before..."

                "Yes, really," Link said, grinning, "I also like that one the best because it reminds me of your hair,"

                I blushed as I pushed the jewel into his hands. "What do these fine jewels have to do with your journey for Princess Zelda?"

                "Well," Link hesitated, but when he looked at me, he sighed and continued on, "These are the three spiritual stones that were blessed to the Kokiri, the children of the forest," he said, motioning to the green stone that shimmered as the moonlight through the window struck it, "the Gorons, strange rock-like people on Death Mountain," he held up the red jewel and grinned, "and the Zora, the graceful swimming people the thrive in the Zora river that is connected to Lake Hylia,"

                "You mean to tell me that there are many different kinds of...creatures out there?" I asked, my eyes shining in admiration, "Oh, please tell me of them!" I pleaded, "Tell me of the Zora people and the Kokiri and of the Goron people!"

                Link smiled and sat down next to the barred wall and I did the same. "The Kokiri look like children, clothed in green. They live in the Kokiri forest, near the Lost Woods, and look up to their ruler, the Great Deku Tree. I lived there with them, but I knew—and they knew, too—that I was different. You see," Link explained, "the Kokiri children each have their own fairy, to guide them and to be their loyal companion for all of their life,"

                "You have a fairy?"

                Link nodded. "Yes, but that's a different part of my story. I grew up with the Kokiri, awaiting the arrival of my own fairy. But the years passed," Link said sadly, "And I never was blessed with such a creature. I was...different...than the others, and ridiculed for my appearance. I didn't look like them, either. One day, when I was sleeping, a blue fairy visited me. One named Navi. Navi isn't with me right now, so I'll let you see her later. Well, anyway, I was going to go to the Deku tree when this other Kokiri boy Mido told me I couldn't unless I had a weapon, so I......"

***

"I'm not sure...but I think Princess Ruto plans to marry me..." Link grinned, "The Zora believed that it was an engagement jewel. Something like that. So, it was the only way I could have it," Link paused and raised an eyebrow at me, "There is a second part to my story, but I'm not sure you're prepared to here it yet. I have told you already seven years later,"

                "What are you talking about?" I asked him, "What do you mean seven years later?"

                Link only smiled, "You'll see. Things are going to happen, Koru. Don't worry about me, though."

                I laughed. "Alright, Forest Boy. But tell me, why did you come here yesterday?"

                "Well, I wanted to see for myself where the Man in Black Armor comes from," Link said cautiously.

                "Comes from?" I whispered, "You can't mean that this evil man that you spoke of comes from the Gerudo Tribe! That would be Ganondorf!"

                "Wait, wait!" Link said quickly when I jumped up to leave. "I didn't mean..."

                "We are cursed, Link," I said heatedly, "The Gerudo are cursed thieves. Only every one hundred years, the Goddesses bless us with one male in the tribe. Ganondorf is the only person you could possibly be talking about."

                Link said nothing for a moment, but finally sighed, "The Man in Black Armor that hails from the desert..."

                "What?"

                "It is what the Princess Zelda told me," Link whispered sadly, "It is indeed Ganondorf who is the evil that is trying to vanquish Hyrule and its inhabitants; I met him myself"

                "You're wrong," I said, "Ganondorf was to speak to the King of the important matters concerning the restrictions against the Gerudos!"

                Link sighed, "Koru...I'm sorry this is hard for you to take..."

                "No!" I cried, "You're wrong! Ganondorf would never abandon his tribe!"

                "Koru, wait!" Link shouted as I pushed myself away from the bars, "Please! Let me talk to you!"

                "I let you," I said furiously, "I let you talk to me, Link. I listened to you long enough, too,"

                "I can help Nabooru!" Link said quickly, "I can help her instead of you! I'll speak to Nabooru! Please! Let me help!"

                I stopped as soon as I heard him say that and froze. "Link...you'd do that for Nabooru? And me?"

                "Yes, yes! I've spoken to her before! She was captured by the witches! I'll help her! I cannot as a child, but when I change...." Link's voice trailed off and he shook his head, "Never mind...I need to return to the Temple of Time to help her, though. I need to be back to my normal self. Now that I have these," Link held up silver gauntlets, "I can help Nabooru for you. I just need to get out of here!"

                "I...I'll see what I can do to get you out of here. I'll have to speak will Gillian,"

***

"He is nothing but a child," I explained to Gillian quickly, "He has to return to Hyrule to speak with the Princess,"

                "Why would he speak with the Royal Family?" Gillian muttered, "He is their ally, Koru,"

                "He is their messenger,"

                "He sends us word from Ganondorf?" Gillian's eyebrow raised in question.

                I shook my head, "No,"

                "Then what was he doing here?"

                I sighed and went on, "He is friends with the Princess Zelda. The Princess Zelda asked the boy to see what Ganondorf's homeland was like,"

                "His homeland?" Gillian tilted her head to the side, "And the Princess Zelda has seen Ganondorf?"

                I nodded. "The boy knows that Ganondorf indeed does seem to be coming onto the King. And," I added quickly, "Ganondorf and the King are seeing eye to eye on some issues,"

                I knew it was a lie, but I had to say anything to let Link out. It was for Nabooru...

                "After he attended to his business in Hyrule, Nabooru will come back," I still didn't believe him about Nabooru being captured, but I was still worried, nonetheless.

                "How do you know of Nabooru's disappearance?" Gillian hissed, "Lulu has spoken to you though she was forbidden! Nabooru's absence was to be kept unrevealed!"

                I trembled under Gillian's roar. Gillian and I had hated each other ever since the beginning, but when Gillian had assumed the role of tribe leader in Nabooru's place, our rivalry melted away. It was like we knew there were more important things at hand. That didn't stop Gillian and me from hating each other, however.

                "Lulu was just informing me," I retorted, "I have just as much as a right to know what happens to Nabooru as you do!"

                "I am second in command!"

                "I am the daughter she never had!"

                We both stopped immediately and lost eye contact with each other.

                Gillian nodded and broke the silence. "The boy may go. But as soon as his business at the Temple of Time is over, he is to return here to help Nabooru. I will send word to her,"

                I nodded and turned on my heel to march away from Gillian's chambers. "Gillian," I said, poking my head back into her room.

                "Yes, Koru?" Gillian mumbled, exhausted from her day's archery lessons.

                "Please send someone to see if Nabooru is still safe. I've heard...rumors...."

***

"Koru! Try harder!" Gillian shouted, "Focus on your target!"

                I couldn't focus. That was my problem. The winds had been blowing wildly the past days and the nights were colder. The messengers Gillian had sent to the Temple (the messengers had included Lulu) had not yet returned and Link...

                The boy had left two days ago, and I have not yet heard from him.

                I felt betrayed.

                "I'll come back," Link smiled as he faced me that night, "I promise,"

                "You better not be lying to me, Link. If you don't return, I will be held responsible," I said.

                Link shrugged, "All the better to keep my promise, right? Koru, I will be back to help your leader. Things will be okay,"

                My fingers fumbled as I tried to pull an arrow out of its quiver from behind my back. I placed it in the bow, my hands shaking, and I aimed. Unfortunately, my aim wasn't all that well, and my arrow flew over the target, striking the hard rock behind.

                "Koru! What it wrong with you? You are not focusing!" Gillian howled in frustration, "Bring the horse back here now!"

                I sighed as I reluctantly guided the beautiful black stallion back over to the beginning of the archery course. The sun beat down on all of us heavily that day, and that was nothing that was not to be expected.

                Mina smiled sympathetically as I brought the stallion back to Gillian. "Koru, you are thinking of him, aren't you?" she whispered.

                I nodded, "He has not yet returned. Gillian will be furious,"

                Mina frowned, but otherwise nodded, "Do not worry, he will return."

                "One can only hope,"

***

The night winds whipped through the Gerudo Valley as we all slept in our pillows. Ever since Link's attempt at seeing "where the Man in Black Armor hails from", Gillian had ordered the guards to work at night as well. I pitied them, as their cloaks were feeble and would not protect them from the winds of the night.

                Mina had been chosen to guard, and I myself had given her my cloak to borrow for the night to keep her warm.

                Lately, I had been unable to find sleep. My thoughts were escaping me, and I couldn't focus on anything but the Forest Boy.

                He had been gone for two days...and not yet returned. The days had been restless, and all hope for Link's return—as well as our leader's return—was slowly fading away.

                My eyelids grew heavy as I recalled the Forest Boy's remark about my hair. And the spiritual stone of the Goron people...

                "I'd like to take you with me," Link said, "You've never seen any of the land. You're just like me,"

                "I have lived here my whole life. I never have taken a step out of the valley." I admitted, "I depend on the rumors about the castle people and the different creatures out there,"

                "That's not right," Link said, "I grew up in the Kokiri, and I never knew there was a whole new world right outside of the Lost Woods. I want to take to with me. I want to show you the Goron people, and the Zora Domain. I want to take you to Lake Hylia, Koru,"

                "I'd like to go, Link," I said, "but I have a duty to my people. I am cursed,"

                "That can't stop you from coming with me," Link said, "Everything is going to be over soon, Koru. The land will be clear and bright once again like it should be, and maybe even the winds in the valley will change for the better. Promise me, Koru, when everything is right again, you will come with me to the Lost Woods."

                "I don't know..."

                "I could introduce you to everyone there. You'd like the Kokiri. And I'll show you Lake Hylia and the Laboratory there. There's a beautiful view there. And wait until you see the Zora Domain!" Link whispered excitedly, "It's breathtaking!"

                I giggled, "One day, Link," I said, "Maybe one day,"

                I smiled as I imagine Link and I traveling the land of Hyrule. I knew it could never happen, though...Gillian and Nabooru...would never allow...such...a thing....