A/N: I don't own Zelda. Never have. Never will. Why don't you just accept that and move on, huh?
Chapter 5: The Kokiri Forest Pt. 2
"… Navi?" Saria asked, confused. "Why are you looking for Navi?"
Link sighed loudly, sitting down on the floor. "When I finished placing the Master sword in the Temple of Time, Navi just flew off. She left before I could even stand straight. She didn't even say goodbye. I just wish to speak to her once more. Just to find out how I treated her badly enough to leave like that."
Saria nodded slowly, but the Deku sprout seemed lost in thought. He ruffled his tiny leaves then spoke. "Link, I believe I know where she may be. There is a place called the Faerie Haven. A sacred place where Faeries live: full of illusions, enchantments, and other magic. None other than Faeries know where it lays. Not even me. They will not share their secret, either. Only one Fairy has ever admitted to knowing where it was, and she disappeared deep into the Forbidden Forest Valley. Unfortunately, you need a horse to get through, and a bigger sword than that of the Kokiri to protect you."
"Don't worry," Link said. "I'm going to train for the next few years, to prepare my body for this adventure. Once I'm done with that, I'll be ready to face the forest."
As Link made to leave, Saria stood in front of him to block his way. "Link, please take care of yourself. I know you're no longer a Kokiri, but I won't stop worrying about you. I hope you find Navi."
Link nodded in agreement, hugged her goodbye, and left. He walked through the huge party of Deku, Kokiri, and Skull Kid's and left the forest.
Two days later, Link arrived at the Gerudo Fortress. It was still well protected by the bandit women, all dressed in the purple tank tops and puffy pants the sentries wore. Link sneaked past the first guards with ease, seeing as most were glassy eyed and staring off into space. He entered the actual fortress looking for the woman who accepted him into the Gerudo, or Nabooru, the Sage of the Desert.
He found the two sitting together in a large chamber with a thick red carpet on the floor, and pillows strewn everywhere. He walked into the room carefully, looking for guards that he may have overlooked. The two women were sweating, and scimitars lay by their sides. By the look of it, they just finished practicing with them.
When the two women noticed the Kokiri boy in their midst, the woman Link remembered from the "future" made for her weapon, but Nabooru stopped her. "Don't worry, sister. I know this boy and he is welcome here, since he was able to sneak through all the guards." Nabooru then turned to Link. "I always knew you'd make a good thief, Link. How may I help you today?"
"I was wondering if I can stay here and train with the Gerudo." Link stated. "I know you're an all female group, but I merely wish to learn how to fight better. I may need to know in the future, and knowing different styles is good for surprising your opponents. If I learn the Gerudo style, I will become an even more powerful opponent for those who threaten the people I love."
Nabooru smiled at him and replied, "Well, it is irregular for a man to join us, but I owe you for these Gauntlets." She held her hands up, showing the silver gauntlets he found at the desert colossus. The only reason she had them was because he gave them to her before returning to his own time.
"This boy stole those for you?" the Gerudo woman exclaimed. "He must be a very good thief."
"Indeed," Nabooru replied. "You will become a full Gerudo, Link. All that's required of you is that you follow all of the orders I give you, understood?"
Link nodded once, and then stood ready to receive orders. "Good," Nabooru said. "First things first: We need to get you a sword, a bow, and some other supplies." She stood along with her second, and the two women led Link out of the fortress, toward the weapon smith's hut.
Link spent three years with the Gerudo. When he looked back on it, he remembered those days as tough, exciting, and fun. They pushed him as far as they could, and then some. He learned, swordplay, archery, archery on horseback, and stealth tactics. He was treated like any other Gerudo, except e a few treated him as if he was their younger brother. A few taught him the fine art of flirtation near to the end of his last year, when he began taking more of a man's form. Although – needless to say – Gerudo flirting was MUCH more straightforward than other kinds.
He made a lot of friends during that time, as well. There was Nanda, a tall 14-year-old who excelled at stealth, though her swordplay left much to be desired. She always had a spare moment to joke with Link whenever they had free time. There was also Selana, a spirited 11-year-old who felt that Link was her only competition among the younger Gerudo. The three spent a lot of time "homing their skills" by sneaking into restricted parts of the fortress. They only ever got caught once, so they considered themselves very good (although they couldn't sit right for a week after they did get caught).
On the day he planned on leaving, Nabooru approached him with a sword, bow, and quiver in hand. "I want you to have these," Nabooru said. "For your travels will most likely lead you into more danger. Also," a smirk covered her face, "I came to offer that present I told you about when you agreed to get me these gauntlets."
"Well, it is a beautiful offer." Link replied, roaming his eyes over her shapely body. "I'm sorry, but I cannot stay any longer. I feel that I am well trained now, and I can finally go on my way." With that, he took the weapons and examined them. The sword was a larger version of the master sword, but with a slight curve like a scimitar. The bow was just like his old fairy bow, but smaller to match his size. The quiver was full of arrows: Link counted at least forty.
"Well, if you ever need anything…" Nabooru said, leaving the rest unsaid.
"I know," Link whispered. He gave Nabooru a slight peck on the cheek, then walked towards his friends.
"Well, it's time for me to go." He said to the two women.
Selana, now 14, nodded and hugged Link tightly. Nanda, now 17, gave Link a playful kiss on the lips and said, "Don't forget us, okay?"
Link smiled and blushed a bit. "Don't worry about that. I couldn't ever forget either of you. I will try to visit you, but I think that I will be gone for a long time."
"You'll visit again, I know it." Nanda said confidently, "Farewell, Link. I hope you find water, shade, and happiness for a long time to come."
Link hugged each woman again, and began walking towards Hyrule field. He didn't turn back since he began walking, so he never saw the tears the three women shed for the only man who was ever Gerudo.
Link arrived at Lon Lon Ranch at midday. As he walked in, he saw Malon, once again, singing among the horses. She was eating a sandwich, and had a large goblet of milk next to her. He walked towards her, deliberately making just enough noise to let her know of his presence. When she looked at him, he spoke. "Hello, Malon. I'm here to see how you're doing?"
Malon smiled and stood up. "Oh, I'm fine. I've been waiting for you to come here. There are some things I need to give you." Suddenly she reached out, grabbed his hands, and pulled her towards the stable.
When they entered, Link noticed Epona standing in a nearby stall. She wore a fine saddle, made of brown leather and decorated with bits of gold. "Link," Malon said, "I know that shadow memories are real. Believing it made sure the memories became real again. I know that you won Epona from Ingo, so now I have decided to give her to you since she's already yours."
Link couldn't believe his ears. Malon was giving him Epona… free of charge! And she knew the shadow memories were real. How did she… Zelda, Link thought, Zelda must have regained her memories, and told Malon about it. Link felt elated at this news, and took Epona out of her stall. He petted her in her favorite spot on her neck before saying, "Thank you, Malon. I will forever thank you for this. I will treat Epona with the greatest respect, and care for her as well as I can."
Link mounted Epona and settled her while looking at Malon. Malon began searching a coat that was hung by the stable door and found a pink envelope. She walked over to Link, and then gave it to him. "Well, Fairy Boy, I promised Zelda that I would give this to you when I see you again. She wants to see you immediately, so I suggest you read that letter and go see her. "
Link took the letter, thinking the matter over carefully. After a moment he pocketed the letter and said, "I'll read it later. I have some pressing business, but I'll see her the moment I'm done."
Malon stared at him, shocked, but he didn't notice. He motioned Epona into a slow walk and said, "Bye, Malon. I'll see you later!" With those last words, he set Epona into a gallop away towards the forbidden forest.
A/N: I figured out where I'm going with this. I want to take some time to finish writing two chapters before I post, though. If you can, please send me some advice as to where you want the story to go. I will consider all advice seriously, so please tell me what you think.
PS: The water, shade, and happiness part was a play of a saying in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. In there, a group called the Aiel say "May you find water and shade" as a farewell. I do not own Wheel of Time either.