I've suddenly had an urge to start typing this one again. It's just fun and I've been in a fun writing mood. I dont know. I'm trying to speed things up just a tad so this chapter may seem a little rushed but I think it flows alright. Enjoy.
-Saira
You won't believe it but the next day Talon actually offered us jobs on the ranch saying he could use some extra help. In return he's let us live there and be part of the family practically. Of course Link and Dmitri jumped at the chance. I wasn't as excited but it'd be nice to settle down for a bit.
I took care of the horses in the stables and learned household things. Whenever I got free time though, I began experimenting with the many ingredients I'd started gathering. I wanted to see if I could come up with any interesting potions. I didn't get much success but it gave me something to do while my boys swooned over the girls. Even when Zee wasn't there, Link was too busy helping out to really notice me.
So, that's how things were for a while. We left only to keep our promise to Vienne. One night though a couple of months after my 12th birthday, I found Dmitri in the hayloft of the barn. He was playing with a handful of sand and had his scimitar in front of him.
"Whatcha doin?" I asked taking a seat next to him.
"Just thinking" he replied
"Thinking about what?"
"I want to go back to Gerudo Valley. I didn't learn nearly as much as I could have."
"Wow, Dmitri wants to learn." I joked.
"I'm serious Saira."
"I know. Well, I'm sure we'll get to go back." I assured
"When?" he said almost sad.
"Why not now?"
"Now?" he said disbelieving.
"Yeah. We have no contract to stay here. Let's go back."
"I don't know Saira. What about Talon and Malon?"
"Link'll stay if we ask him and he does more work than you anyway. He usually does your work as a matter of fact because you're always practicing. And Malon will survive. She's got her horses to keep her company. They're not too bad. I know from experience"
Dmitri gave me a big smile and by the end of the day we were packing to go back to Gerudo Valley. Malon was a bit put out but to a bit of my dislike she didn't seem to care all that much. Talon gave us both a good supply of Lon Lon milk before we left the next day. Link just demanded I sent many letters to make sure I was okay.
"So" Dmitri said once Lon Lon was out of view. "Did you really want to return or did you just want me away from Malon?"
"A bit of both" I confessed. "Don't get me wrong, I like Malon, but I just don't think she's good enough for you. I don't think anybody is"
Dmitri wrapped his arm around me in a hug. "Not even you?" he said coyly.
"Not even me" I said and we both started laughing.
It took us a few days to reach the gorge but once we did I could tell Dmitri's heart was doing back flips and mine was too just seeing him so happy. Tyra was still at her usual post and let us by without a word of argument. As we walked up to the Fortress most Gerudos bowed their heads in respect.
One Purple ran up and for a second I thought we might be arrested until I recognized her as Leah.
"Saira, you're back!"
"For awhile hopefully" I responded. The crease in her mask showed the forbidden smile but no one looked twice.
"Nabooru is in the throne room."
"Well, why don't we get caught up first?" Dmitri suggested.
Leah nodded and we stood there for a bit catching up on the happenings. The thing we really wanted to know was what happened to Nyssa. Turns out, since death was what she wanted it's the one thing Nabooru wouldn't grant. She stripped Nyssa of all titles and ranks. She wasn't even considered worthy enough to wear purple. Instead she was forced to go in black to show that she was a traitor among Gerudos. She had to wear a mask and wasn't allowed to speak unless asked to. It was a severe punishment with everything considered.
That was the most exciting bit of news. Some of the Purples I knew were promoted but other than that, there wasn't much to say. Leah got scolded for talking to us and we headed to Nabooru quickly hoping to keep her from getting in trouble. We found her sparring with Sonja. Dmitri's eyes shone longingly as they achieved impossible moves.
She saw us both standing in the doorway and both of them stopped and bowed their heads but giving each other a Gerudo look I'd come to know as 'We'll finish this later'
"You're late" Nabooru said walking up to us.
"Late?" I asked
"Yes, I expected you back this summer. Now it's October." She said
"Dmitri got sidetracked"
"Sidetracked? How? I thought we taught you to dismiss distractions Dmitri."
"A girl" I said teasingly.
"We've got some work to do then. Come; let's get you two situated. Oh, and where's Link?"
"We've been at Lon Lon Ranch for awhile and he didn't want to come back with us. I think he likes seeing Zee on a regular basis."
"Damn boy needs to lower his aim. He looks far too high." Nabooru said
"He doesn't know any other way," I said in defense. Nabooru just smiled at me. Rooms were given to us and I hate to admit it but I missed the strictness of it all. Mainly because I saw so many opportunities where Dmitri and I could disrupt the order.
Later on we met Nabooru back in the throne room getting a nod here and there from familiar Gerudos.
"Okay, I know staying in Gerudo Fortress is never a social call for other beings. Why have you come back?" she asked us seriously once we were comfy.
"Well a while back Saira brought up something, and it got me thinking" Dmitri said. I had no idea what he meant because I didn't remember what I said
"And what wisdom came from Saira's mouth?"
"She said I should become an honorary Shiekah"
"Ha!" Nabooru said suddenly. "You may have the blood in you but you're a Gerudo"
Dmitri gave a small laugh. "I'm not a Shiekah"
"Does nobody tell you anything? By the Goddesses, one day I'll just tie them all down and make them tell everything"
Dmitri and I exchanged a look.
"Never mind, never mind," she said. "I'll tell you one day, but not today. Now then, let's have a little test"
"Well, I'll leave you two to it then" I said going off on my own. If there's one thing I could usually count on when at the Gerudo Fortress was a good quiet empty library. And as usual I found no one in there.
From there everything fell into a routine. Dmitri was more dedicated than ever and it pleased me to see that. We went back to Lon Lon every two weeks to appease Link's paternal instincts over us. I still couldn't consider any place a place I enjoyed above all the others though. Lon Lon was all work and no one I could really talk to. Malon could be an outright pain sometimes and Zelda spent a majority of her time with the guy she couldn't have. And Gerudo Fortress, you'd think would be more enjoyable with it being all girls, but even though I'd fight back verbally or magical, they weren't my friends or anything. And I still hadn't finished seeing the world. I guess I'm a traveler at heart.
I can't say I hated my time at either place though. I mean because of the Gerudos I can unlock nearly anything with a bobby pin. And because of visiting Lon Lon, I've become quite the rider. I keep up my magic due to all my free time and if there's ever anything I can't figure out, my visits to Kokiri Forest help when I speak with the Deku Tree. A couple times we even went back to Zora's Domain. Cay was always happy to see us and I think Ruto actually liked fighting with Dmitri.
So here I sit now reading the last book in the Gerudos' library. I don't know what I'm going to do when I finish but I'm trying not to think about that. I'm lying on the table with the book magically floating above me. I find this position oddly comfortable, but I must admit it makes it difficult to read when a tan smiling face appears between my eyes and the book.
" 'Ello, love" Dmitri said with a broad grin. "I know what today is," he added in a singsong voice.
"And you're going to tell me because I have no idea"
"Oh, Saira, I'm hurt. Undeniably hurt"
"Why?"
"Because today is the day we finish our trip"
"What?"
"OW!"
"Oops" I said when I realized why Dmitri said 'ow'. Apparently books and the back of heads aren't a good mix.
"Anyway, I got a letter from Link, and Talon hired some extra help and knew that we never finished our ventures so he said if we want to go, we should go now before he changes his mind and convinces himself that keeping Link will be the better decision."
"Okay, so we started our venture when we were 10. We stopped traveling to new places at 12 but have constantly visited Zora's Domain, Kokiri Forest, Lon Lon and we practically live here and now we're both 14 nearly 15 and you want to go traveling again"
"Don't you?"
I gave a sly smile and within an hour I was all packed and we went to go say our goodbyes. The one between Nabooru and Dmitri was strange. Dmitri really looked up to her. Not really like a mother or a teacher, but hmm, what's the word I'm looking for? Maybe a mentor. I'm not sure but all I know is that he looks up to her like no other.
"I want to see you back here" Nabooru said sternly. "You've learned and mastered more than I would ever expect from, no offense, a Hylian—"
"And Shiekah, apparently" I said remembering what Nabooru had said when we arrived.
"Yeah" Dmitri said suddenly "You said you'd tell us one day. It's been two years, can we know yet?"
"I thought you were going to leave and I could avoid it. Thanks Saira. Remind me to give you a fighting lesson when you return"
"Gives me incentive not to" I replied sarcastically.
"Do you even have time?"
"Yeah, I think so" Dmitri said.
"Alright. You're not exactly a Hylian." She began. I leaned on Dmitri as we listened. "Your mother is from another land known as Middle-Earth."
"Oh, I've read about that place. We should consider going there too Dmitri. I could tell you stories—"
Both of them glared at me in such a Gerudo manner I shut up instantly.
"Anyway, your mum was an Elf maiden on one of the cities. Don't ask me which one. I don't pride myself on details. Now your dad is an outright Shiekah. Born and raised."
"What?" Dmitri interrupted. "No way. If my dad was a Sheikah he woulda raised me as one. He'd know that woulda been what I wanted"
"Well your dad ran into a spot of trouble with the Shiekah."
"How so?" I asked
"While on post a portal appeared"
"I'd have gone in it" Dmitri said proudly.
"Yep, you are your father's son. Unfortunately whatever happened on the other side took up a few years of your dad's days and by the time he returned he was deemed an AWOLer and unworthy to be a Sheikah. They didn't believe that he was helping in another world because all the proof he had was the word of a young Elf maiden that wasn't skilled enough to create another portal"
"So then what?"
"Your father decided they were probably right. After all he didn't have to go into the portal. His best friend helped him get back on his feet."
"Who was his best friend?"
"Some lad named Artanis"
My mouth fell open and they both looked at me with strange expressions.
"You all right, love?" Dmitri asked
"Artanis is my dad," I said quietly.
"You're kidding. No wonder they left you two with my mum and dad"
"Makes sense" Nabooru said. "Well, you two better get along. Where are you headed?"
"Well, we've seen Kokiri as we grew up there, Zora's Domain is old news, Lon Lon is a constant place of visit. Here may as well be our second home, so that leaves Kakariko Village"
"Damn Sheikahs" Nabooru muttered.
"Goron City" Dmitri added with a grin. "And Hyrule Castle, not to mention if we try to find the Great Faery on top of Death Mountain"
"Because I'm so eager to climb a mountain with death in the title" I said coolly.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know you will so I wont get myself killed"
"And that reason alone" I muttered mounting my horse. "C'mon or we'll never leave"
"Alright, alright" Dmitri said getting on behind me having never gotten the hang of horseback riding.
"I expect you back again Dmitri. Despite your heritage you're one of the best pupils I've ever had especially starting so late. I know one day your skills will prove useful"
"Thanks" he said genuinely grateful before we rode off.
We met up with Link and then rode for Kakariko Village following the ominous mountain in the distance. We stopped halfway there in the fields and I couldn't believe how much I missed it. The three of us just being together laughing and just basically having a good time. No other girls. I guess that makes me sound a bit selfish but I like the fact that Dmitri and Link are just mine.
"Wow, can you guys remember the last time it was just the three of us?" Dmitri asked as we laid there in our little triangle
"Uh, let's see" Link said thoughtfully. "I can't remember"
I smiled. "It's been awhile. Over two years"
"That's right. Our birthdays are coming up too." Dmitri said. "The big 15"
"And 19" Link corrected. "Jeez, I'm getting old."
"Oh, yeah, real old" I laughed. We stayed up pretty late and reminisced but soon we were all staring up at the morning sun groaning since the heat was now getting to us all. "Damn summer" I said getting up to make breakfast.
We ate in silence but soon were on our way once again. We were disappointed to find that our horse couldn't go up into Kakariko Village. I guess stairs aren't too horse friendly.
"Hey, Dmitri, we should see your parents here since they finally moved. Remember they sent a letter saying not to go to Kokiri Forest this year"
"Oh, right. At least we'll have a place to stay" Link said.
I took note that DMitri didn't really say anything but just followed Link's lead. I had a feeling that there was going to be a long talk between the men of the Alonde family, one I didn't want to see.