-Where next? -
I opened my eyes and my head was swimming. Not literally but my head felt like mush. I sat up too quick just making it worse and fell back down clutching my head. I suddenly realized that I was dry and lying on our waterbed. I recognized the shelled room and felt glad that at least I wasn't dead.
I'm surprised the mirror on the dresser didn't crack at my reflection. There were dark bags under my eyes and if I could name the color of my skin I'd say white. Yep, white, or maybe even transparent. My eyes were bloodshot and my hair was a frizzy mess.
I groaned and tried again to sit up. I did it slowly and succeeded. Then I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and set my bare feet on the cold ground. I noticed a robe was hanging on a poster of the bed.
I reached up for it and goddess it hurt. I was aching all over but I sucked it up and put the robe on my hot skin. The silk was soothing. I could feel a fever on me but I stood up dizzily and headed toward the hall.
I came out and stepped right into the foot deep pool of water. I didn't really care if my feet were wet right now I just didn't want the rest of me wet. I got so lightheaded that I tried to turn back but I forgot about the blendy wall. It looked just like rock again.
"Oh goddess" I said aloud leaning on what I was sure was rock. I looked around trying to get my bearings. I saw several Zoras swimming in the pool under the waterfall. I recognized a boy in a green tunic, as Link swimming with what I think is Ruto. Dmitri was there doing flips off a piece of land.
I sloshed through the water to the edge and braced myself on the wall. Link caught sight of me and abandoned Ruto in a heartbeat. Dmitri dove in the water and also swam to me. Link was first to jump out but I backed up when he tried to hug me.
"You're wet and I'm enjoying being dry for the moment"
Dmitri almost got me but Link grabbed him and threw him back down. He smiled up at me slyly.
"Okay, one, what the hell happened?"
"Saira, watch your mouth" Link scolded
"I earned it. Second, well on second thought I don't have a second. What happened covers it"
"Link that was inconceivably rude" Ruto said coming up. "Just leaving like that"
"Ruto" I said
"What?"
"Shut up!" Dmitri said before I could say something nicer.
"Ruto, give us a minute" Link said catching me as I started falling again.
Ruto dove back in the water but not before she sneered at Dmitri. Then Link went off explaining to me.
"Ruto said that if don't eat the pouch of Gilia plant like we did the first time, it's highly poisonous. Goddess, once you passed out they was forcing all kinds of antidotes in you."
"How long have I been out?"
"Do you want the truth or a lie?" Dmitri asked
"Give me the lie first then maybe I can figure it out"
"3 days"
"I've been out for three weeks?!" I cried as Link caught me again.
"Yeah Saira. The Gilia took an accelerated effect because you'd been doing so much, but the fact that you passed amazed everyone. You're a celebrity now" Link said
"It really wasn't all that hard. So, I passed everything?"
"Yeah, but hurry up and get better. Dmitri and I would like to leave before we become Zoras ourselves"
It took about another week or so for me to get back to my normal strength. The day we were going to leave though, Cay ran up and said we had to go to the throne room. We followed and all the Zoras were in the throne room with King Zora and Ruto waiting for something.
"Cay, what's going on?" I asked as Ruto was speaking up on the platform.
"—So with that in mind, I'd like to ask Saira to come up and receive her Zora medallion."
"WHAT?!" I said immediately trying to leave, but Link and Dmitri grabbed me and started dragging me up.
"Go on Saira. This is a real honor." Cay said. He pleaded with his eyes and I finally sighed and went up voluntarily.
"Saira, you have proved that you are as good as any Zora, and with great pride and honor I present you with a Zora medallion. Wear it with pride, and know you, Link and hmm, Dmitri will always be welcome back in Zora's Domain."
Myer handed Ruto a small medallion. It was made up of three small triangles of a gold, silver, and bronze color forming each piece. It was hooked onto a silver chain and had a slight glow to it. I assumed they were the treasures I'd gathered.
"Thank you"
We stayed for a little longer then left and I'd forgotten how bright it could get outside. It's amazing. We've been gone for several months and so much has happened that's been more exciting than anything in Kokiri Forest. When we got out, I'd also forgotten that it was now cold outside being winter and all.
"What month is it?" Dmitri asked as we stood looking at the winding path away from Zora's Domain.
"Uh, January?" I suggested
"We missed Christmas?" Link asked
"No I don't think so."
"I think it's near the end of December" Dmitri said.
We argued about what month it was all the way through the winding paths away from Zora's Domain. It wasn't really an argument but more of a discussion. Finally we reached Hyrule Field and stopped marveling at the vastness once again.
"Okay, if we keep following the river, it should lead us straight to the path to Kakariko Village and eventually to the Castle. Straight ahead goes back to Lon Lon Ranch then past that is Gerudo Valley."
"Lon Lon" Link and Dmitri both said
"Okay, somebody's smitten"
"What?!" they said still in unison.
"You like, hmm, Zee, and you like Malon even though she's two years older than you," I said at Dmitri
They didn't talk to me for a while until it was nightfall and they needed me to start a fire to get rid of the snow and make some food.
- The next morning we strolled into Lon Lon Ranch and to their luck, Malon and Zelda were racing around the track despite the cold weather. Malon spotted us and they started riding our way.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here" Malon said leaning on Epona.
"Didn't think we'd see you so soon" Zelda said
"Yeah, well they wouldn't shut up about how pretty you two—"
Link and Dmitri both slapped their hands over my mouth and muffled my words.
"Just ignore her," Link said
"She's delirious" Dmitri added
I elbowed Dmitri and stepped on Link's foot and they released me.
"So, uh, do you both work here?" Link asked to change the subject and I think to avoid any comments about me hitting them.
"No, um, Zee lives in Castletown but she comes here every weekend to ride" Malon said, "You know, you never rode last time Dmitri"
"Horses don't like me"
"I doubt that. I bet you just can't ride"
"Why don't you teach him?" I broke in
I've never ever seen Dmitri get redder than in that moment. If you had an apple and put it next to his face, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But what kind of sister would I be if I let Link off that easy?
"You know Link is just dying to learn himself. I heard him talking about how he wants to be good enough to do the Gerudo horse archery. Maybe you could help him, Zee"
You could have cooked on Link's face. But that night both of them hugged me gratefully. I had a fun day with Talon, Malon's dad, so I'm not sure what all happened. I did find out that Christmas hadn't passed yet but I was debating with myself whether to tell my boys and then use it against them later. Dmitri must have had a good night because he fell asleep on my legs with a huge smile on his face. I'd slept for three weeks, though, and couldn't sleep now. But I wasn't the only one still awake.
I saw out the window that Zelda was sneaking out a horse for a night ride. I slipped out and walked over. She heard me coming and was scared stiff until she realized it was I. I think I surprised her when I bowed though.
"What are you doing?"
"Isn't it traditional to bow before royalty" I said seriously.
She pretended to be ignorant to what I said, "I'm not a princess"
"If your name isn't Princess Zelda I'll give back the rupees I nicked from Dmitri and I really don't want to do that"
"How'd you figure it out?"
"The way you act, the way you look, but mostly because I get these wonderful headaches of pain that come with a care package of pictures that tell me things."
"Right. The Hylian Seer"
"How'd you know?"
"I listen to the trees," she said very unconvincingly.
"Why are you hiding your royalty?" I asked
"Because sometimes it's not fun to be treated as if I'm better just because I was born into a certain family. With all of you, I feel like a normal kid. It's the main reason I come to Lon Lon Ranch every weekend. My father thinks I come to learn but I come to get away from it all"
"You're going to hurt Link"
"How?"
"I have lived with that boy since I was a baby so I know him better than most would dream and I can tell in an instant when he likes someone. Don't hurt him," I said firmly.
"So, where are you headed next?" Zelda said avoiding my comment.
"Probably Gerudo Valley"
"Will you come back here?"
"No doubt. May be another few months, give or take, but we will"
Zelda and I rode and talked for a long time after that. I always got a slight annoying disturbance in the back of my mind that seemed to say 'I don't like you,' but I pushed away such a notion. It felt almost as if Zelda took something from me and I was still holding a grudge but what could that be?
Other than that feeling though, we became rather good friends. Usually she'd ride with Link and I hated the look of pure happiness and contentment I saw on Link's face because I knew Zelda would be the cause of its reverse. Dmitri was hardly ever away from Malon. He entertained her I think, and Dmitri did whatever he could to keep it that way and not let her attention wander to the handsome Link who liked showing off his own talents of the ocarina and sword to Zelda.
At night though, it was a different story. At night, it was a girl's time. On our first night back in Lon Lon Ranch, Zelda and Malon took me to a hidden building at the far back. It was filled with hay and blankets and we would just go in there and talk. Don't get me wrong, Link and Dmitri were the best company a person could get but there are just some things I wouldn't want to tell them about.
Before we left again, Zelda told me that whenever we got around to Castletown she would grant me permission to come to the castle. I was a little mad that she hadn't told Link about her royal-ness but nothing I said would convince her otherwise. We said our goodbyes after about a week there and headed across Hyrule Field toward Gerudo Valley.
We didn't see another living soul for several days until we reached the gorge separating Gerudo Valley from the rest of Hyrule. There was a shorthaired Gerudo woman in a White vest outfit guarding the gated bridge. Her face was hard and completely free of any sign of emotion. Her puffed pants moved with the breeze but her tan skin remained and did not react to her hair whipping across her face. If I couldn't see her breathing I would have thought her a statue. We stayed hidden behind some rocks taking turns to look at her.
"Geez, she looks mean" Dmitri said
"The Gerudo have even stricter codes of conduct than the Zora so whatever you do don't go piss them off," I warned
"How bad could they be?" Dmitri asked
"Let me put simply…. if we tried to spruce up a party like in Zora's Domain, we'd be dead before you got to do your Lord of the Dance routine"
"So, what are we going to do?" Link asked
"Well, how badly do you guys want to see the fortress? I may have an idea"
"If it involves us getting thrown in their dungeons and you getting away Scot free because you're a girl, then not that bad" Link said guessing completely right. I was going to pretend they were mugging me and I knew without a doubt that they'd help because of my gender, but then again, in this age they could very well throw me away too.
I looked behind me after my turn of gazing at the Gerudo woman and they were completely oblivious to the band of Purple dressed Gerudos standing spear down behind them.
"Saira, what are you looking at?" Dmitri asked
Two Gerudos kicked them onto the ground behind me.
"Uh oh" Link said
One of them whistled but none spoke. Soon the woman from the gate came over but her face was completely blank except the always-furious sort of look they all held if their face wasn't covered by a mesh mask.
"Speak quick. Who are you?" the White dressed one asked
"S-Saira, Link, and Dmitri"
I figured it'd be best if I spoke since I was a girl and I knew all too well about the Gerudo ways from my phase where I had to read every book I could get my hands on. Goddess I need a life.
"We are from the Kokiri Forest" I managed to get out when all I wanted to do was cower and hope they went away.
"I think we're just gonna go" Link said but their spears lowered farther. "Maybe not"
"You are trespassing on Gerudo land"
"What is it with us trespassing?" Dmitri said, "Damn people are so paranoid. Anyway, your land doesn't start till over the bridge"
"Silence!"
The White one seemed to be thinking. Another purple whispered something but I couldn't hear what.
"You could be Sheikah spies. He is even dressed as one," the White one said
"What?!" Dmitri cried as she stared at his attire. "So my mum isn't the best at sewing but still, I'm no Sheikah."
Shouts erupted as Dmitri tried to practically prove he wasn't a Sheikah. I quickly waved my hands in front of me until I was in a Red Gerudo uniform I'd seen in a book once. I even had my hair up in the high ponytail too.
"Look, I'm dressed as a Gerudo, but I'm not one. Get my point"
All the Gerudos were staring in shock. The White Gerudo, from what I could decipher, was convinced and clapped twice so that the others lifted their spears.
"Come"
We were forced to go with them to the, oh wow, huge fortress. The enormity of it was overwhelming. It was almost like a city carved right into a mountainside. I'd never seen such structures. Guards in Purple littered the place all wearing the same unreadable expressions as we were led inside. We passed many rooms where different things were happening. One room was full of girls in purple all about my age learning fighting maneuvers. They were all flawless. Another room was a library but I smelled dust meaning not many ventured there. The last room we passed before entering one was full of weapons from daggers and quivers, to spears and scimitars.
Finally we entered a room that was undoubtedly a throne room. Two Gerudo were sparring. One Gerudo was dressed all in a deep red, similar to what I was still wearing, with gold chains, around her waist that jingled as she flipped in the air dodging an attack. Her high ponytail whipped around but she was not fazed by it. A red mesh mask covered the lower half of her face. There was something oddly familiar about her.
The other was clad in white pants and a small tube top across her chest. She too wore gold jewelry; just more of it, but it had no affect on her abilities of blocking each new strike by the Red. I noticed out of the many Gerudo I'd already seen, this White was the only one with a jewel upon her brow. An all too proud and actually smiling look appeared on her face just as she put the Red in her mercy and forced her to drop the two scimitars gripped tightly in her hands.
"You're doing well Nyssa," the White said. "But there is always room for improvement."
Nyssa was the Red and her face remained blank but I could sense that added comment angered her. The White who had defeated this Nyssa stood up and handed off her own weapons to a Purple standing close by. She faced our incoming group.
"Ah, the honorary Zoras" she said, "Link, Saira, and Dmitri. Lower your weapons. Welcome, I am Nabooru"
This all seemed too familiar. I know I've heard these names before and seen this vast place, as if I had déjà'd this vu.
"You might want to change, Saira. Many Gerudos will not like you dressed in such a high status when you are not"
I changed quickly into my usual tomboyish outfit.
Nabooru surveyed us then said, "By Goddess, he didn't tell you," she said seeing our confused state. "Nyssa, get rooms prepared. None of you are to leave the fortress unless with a Gerudo guard"
"Look, Nabooru, we don't hold much for obeying people" Dmitri said "Me, least of all"
However the glare upon Nabooru's face was enough to shut Dmitri up quick. Nyssa came back and we were practically ordered to go. I was filled with a definite curiosity about what someone was supposed to tell us. Nabooru stormed out of the hall shortly after, yelling to no one.
"Not ready! When does he think they will be!? Link was only ten!"
"Is it just me or is this trip getting weirder by the second" I asked
"No, it's not just you" Link said looking wary at the mention of his name.
"So, whose ready to bust out" Dmitri asked looking side to side down the hall
"Yeah"
"Definitely" Link and I said hopping off the bed in the room they had provided for us. Link may act more parent-like but he was still the leader of our little group. After all, he even taught Dmitri the proper decorum of accomplishing a good prank.