Chapter Three:
Hours later she arrived at the bridge and the sound of rushing water filled her ears. Crossing the bridge, she looked down into the swirling rapids that eventually ran into Lake Hylia. The Water Temple could be found there and most likely Ruto, the Sage of Water, as well. It got her thinking again. Had all the Zora vanished too?
The fortress rose up above her and blended in perfectly. Almost as if it was carved out of the cliff itself. Zelda had only been to the fortress once before, about five months ago: to sign a real peace treaty with the Gerudo.
Upon entering, she immediately spotted Nabooru talking and gesturing to an intimidated guard on duty. Nabooru, whose back was towards her, must have noticed the guards eyes widen, for she turned around quickly. The sage's eyes grew large at the sight or the black charger, and then narrowed at the princess dismounting.
Zelda, not wasting any time, ran over to the leader of the desert tribe.
"Nabooru," she panted, trying to catch her breath "You must know why I'm here. You must have sensed it too."
Nabooru finally took her eyes from the horse, standing impatiently, and looked at Zelda. The moonlight provided adequate illumination in the desert.
The Sage of Spirit nodded grimly.
Finally, everything sunk in. Her people were missing, Rauru and Impa were…Goddesses only knew where, and Ganondorf Dragmire was back…she was riding his horse around.
Too much for one day. She thought. When will I wake up?
Suddenly, she felt quite nauseous. Last time, she had been able to survive because of her disguise, but now there were no more alter egos or secret identities. In the end, he had kept her alive only to lure Link. It had worked of course. She kicked herself inwardly. She wouldn't let that happen this time. She didn't think she could forget that look of absolute rage on his face when he had come in that door. But…she had helped Link in the final battle, and they had won. Surely Ganondorf would not make the same mistake twice.
He would kill her as soon as he found her.
"Is…" Zelda started, shaking the thought off. "Is Link still at the Spirit Temple?"
Nabooru first looked at the gate, leading to the Colossus that the temple called home, then back to the princess.
"Yes. He went early this morning, but it's too dark for us to go now. It is hard enough to find the path in daylight."
"I have a way." Zelda replied simply, taking her harp from its bag around her waist.
She never left home without it now.
"Hold on" she instructed Nabooru, who put her hand on Zelda's shoulder apprehensively. Nabooru had seen Link warp before, but had never done so herself.
Zelda's hands moved over the strings and she began laying the Requiem of Spirit, plucking the notes softly, but clearly.
Both of the sages closed their eyes as a warm breeze, smelling of the desert at dawn, played over them. When they opened their eyes they were both standing on the Spirit Emblem.
"Nice trick." Smiled Nabooru as she took her hand off of Zelda's shoulder and turned to face the temple that towered over both of them.