Scattering petals
Link & Zelda
Chapter 22: Things unsaid
When Gerudo Town celebrate the opportunity of a near reencounter
Author's note: Let's go with the second arc of this story! As you surely guessed, the first arc was a development of our main couple and central Hyrule lifestyle. Worldbuilding, however, is not over yet. We have yet to explore many places: Kakariko village, Zora's domain, Lurelin's beachside, Castle's library, Castletown countryside, Lost Woods, etc. Believe me when I tell you this was just the introduction with some context from partially in-game lore. This past arc was the most canon-wise, based on the memories displayed in Breath of the Wild. Get prepared for this new era with some creative choices for zelink's sake.
We will be saying goodbye to Gerudo Region in today's chapter. I hope you enjoy it!
Insomnia had been plaguing the princess. The long nap back at the lookout post hadn't helped in respecting the rigorous sleep schedule her maids advised her to follow. Moreover, the Yiga members still tormented her memories. It made her stomach twirl uneasily with a mix of fear and sorrow. How could hatred turn some loyal sheikah into a radical splinter group against Hyrule's crown? Did she really deserve the loathing of a whole criminal organisation? Zelda felt her chest being pierced painfully just thinking about harming another person. Violence was an easy way to let go of frustration, especially in collective conflicts. Normally, the cause of all the group problems would be targeted at someone in specific. That had been her, the heiress that failed to become a divine saviour with magic abilities. She was being trained to perform in war, and quite an important role at that. All of her life had been centred around awakening the sealing powers of birthright. And they were supposed to bring peace and wipe darkness away. Then, why did the Yiga clan despise her so much? Was her existence so pointless? No, it couldn't be. If that were the case, they wouldn't even bother trying to end her life. Despite understanding its background social function, she couldn't find a definite answer to it as much as she tried to understand. Yes, she was against Ganon because of the triforce of wisdom, a fateful event. And the Yiga Clan supported the destruction the Calamity would bring with its return, making them enemies.
Maybe it was her fault for trying to empathise with the enemy. It was her, after all, the injured survivor that suffered from a sudden lack of sleep. She shouldn't try to put logic into politics. As legendary as Hylia's religious myths were, it was still part of the roots that brought hylians to modern society. Religious matters had mixed with politics long ago and finding someone nowadays capable of separating them was out of the question. Not only because some thought it was a waste of time but also because they were the origins of Hyrule's humanity. The order of the world had been established by these divine forces. There was no way to change the destiny of the legendary hero and the godly princess. The cycle of the Calamity would never cease and so, future generations of heirs to the title would have to keep fighting upon Ganon's return. That was simply the way the world was built. As much as she tried to find a logical reason, it couldn't be helped. Her existence depended on her performance in battle. And she hadn't still accomplished showing a single spark of the light of magic.
The weight of the bedsheets brought her back to reality once she turned to face the window. The moon was on its zenith, caressing the soft dunes with dim cold light. Before the rocky frame, Link was asleep on the window seat. The refreshing air from the desert howled into the room, causing his bangs to flow with its course. The master sword was resting at its feet, leaning on the wall in case danger threatened her. The Princess tried not to think about how her legs didn't respond during the Yiga Clan persecution. She really needed an appointed knight. It had been hard to admit earlier, but now she could see it: Link was the reason she was still breathing. And she couldn't find a way to thank him enough.
Zelda usually wrote down in her diary whenever thoughts circled endlessly inside her head. She slipped outside the bed silently to not disturb her bodyguard's sleep. The hem of her nightgown slid with the floor easily, making each step look as if she were floating. She reached for the pale robe to cover her arms and chest, sheltering them from bare sight. The silky cloth made Zelda sigh out of comfort. She then proceeded to sit before the desk where the sheikah slate, her diary, and some unfinished letters remained. Words flowed off her as soon as her fingers met the steel of the quill. Her writing began without thinking much about it beforehand:
"Bit by bit, I've gotten Link to open up to me. It turns out he's quite a glutton. He can't resist a delicious meal! When I finally got around to asking why he's so quiet all the time, I could tell it was difficult for him to say. But he did.
With so much at stake, and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and to silently bear any burden. A feeling I know all too well... For him, it has caused him to stop outwardly expressing his thoughts and feelings. I always believed him to be simply a gifted person who had never faced a day of hardship. How wrong I was.
Everyone has struggles that go unseen by the world. I was so absorbed with my own problems, I failed to see his. I wish to talk with him more and to see what lies beneath those calm waters, to hear him speak freely and openly.
And perhaps I, too, will be able to bare my soul to him and share the demons that have plagued me all these years."
Princess Zelda couldn't help but feel that her most recent entry spun around her guard more than her actual feelings or thoughts. Unconsciously, her jade eyes travelled back to him and she found herself gawking at his asleep form once more. She wouldn't admit it, but her mind kinda treasured the image of his rest. He looked like a regular boy while sleeping. No sacred sword, no duty, no burdens. Would she look the same way while sleeping? Or did her heritage doom her to bear the weight of royalty's oath even in sleep?
The sound of the quill against the ink pot made the knight twitch. The Princess's heart raced as she witnessed how Link opened his sharp eyes, scanning the immediate surroundings of the room. His drowsy expression dropped as soon as he realised Zelda was awake too. It took him some seconds to realise she had been writing something in her journal. Still, unsettling pained his gut while seeing Her Highness suffering from insomnia. He boosted himself up, sitting on the edge of the window. Zelda did the same, slowly approaching her dazed knight. Before he could notice, she had placed her palm against his forehead. A slight hum echoed in his throat.
"I fell asleep." He admitted, frozen against her touch. Her hand was warm. Her white silky robe gleamed with the moonlight. All of the details were noticeable now due to the proximity: chantilly ornaments, delicate lace, and embroidery included.
"So I've noticed." She replied ironically. Afterwards nodded with satisfaction after checking the lack of fever in his frame. He was slightly cold, even. It was preferable that way.
The knight got up from his improvised seat as if the absence of her touch burned. He took a few steps back, making his best to not forget himself before the princess. She questioned his intentions with a long glance.
"I will be posted outside." He announced, reaching for the master sword with his right hand.
On other occasions, Link had remained outside to guard the door as she slept. He just considered it a priority to watch the entrance to the dorm wherever it was located. Inn, bazaar, hotel… Wherever, in general. Tonight, the young knight found no other reason to prolong his stay inside the room. Besides, keeping the company of the princess was out of the question. It could be labelled as improper behaviour back in the royal court. He didn't want to risk it now that he had started a new phase on his right foot. Zelda, however, disagreed.
"You stay." More like a command, it sounded like a plea. There was no way he could deny it as long as she possessed that special shine in her eyes. Maybe it was the ambience of gerudo nights that made everything around him look sparklier.
The bodyguard made a contemplative expression that slowly turned into a nod. He couldn't argue with royal orders. At least with the ones that didn't get in the way of accomplishing his sworn duty. If the Princess wished for him to remain in the room, he would. Objectively, there was no reason to complain against the command. And so, he closed the door to shelter them inside the room.
His first instinct followed the guard's protocol. Though not in the castle, he posted himself at the entrance of the dorm. But for whatever reason, Zelda was still uneasy. She wasn't standing tall and regal as always. Something in her face told him trouble clouded her thoughts.
"Nightmares again?" Link asked, seeing her lack of will to drift away to sleep yet.
"Sometimes." She replied, wondering about the fitting of the label. "Do you have trouble sleeping too?" She asked back.
"They aren't nightmares." He stated, thinking long and hard about his next words. "They just feel too real." He, neither, considered some of his dreamy experiences a nuisance. The example of his strange dream with the Princess as his wife flashed in his mind. He tried to wipe the thought, succeeding after giving another glance at the worried heiress. The sight was unsettling: more fragile than ever. She looked at the edge of breaking with just the push of a gentle touch.
"Some studies show electric safflina can induce restful sleep." She replied casually. Her fingers reached for the forgotten sheikah slate on the bedside table. Her skin glowed with the led's reflection as she slid down the compendium of Hyrule's flora. "This one." She shared the screen to display the entrance about the plant's species with her knight.
Recognition lit up his cerulean eyes, Zelda could see it clearly. In fact, she had already been hoping for him to have stumbled upon some of the gerudo region autochthonous flora since she had escaped his watch… Apparently, her theorization was right. The knight moved to the hall stand in order to seek something inside his belt pouch. She couldn't help her feet following him, peeking at the full bag. All kinds of objects, rare and common, were cupped up in the bag. Herbs, flowers, plants, and dubious parts had been mixed inside. Link even kept empty jars with small holes to capture insects, still empty because of the lack of these species in the region. They were carefully labelled with messy calligraphy according to each kind of bug he could find: crickets, beetles, butterflies… It reminded Zelda of her own lab turned into a pocket version. She started to feel a mix of envy and admiration towards the capacity of the old worn away pouch.
Link's callous fingers found the electric safflina tied with a used ribbon at the bottom of it. He displayed the specimen with reluctance before the princess' curious eyes. Zelda had never seen something so enticing before.
"The priests in the Temple of Time use them for smoke offerings. We can use its medical properties." The princess proposed, taking the safflina into her own hands. The yellow petals had a velvety texture that tickled the palm of her hands. It was almost a pity to use them. "We just need some fire."
Unconsciously, her jade eyes fell on the sheikah slate. A firestarter function would be as useful as the cryogenic rune. Or even more, since it was indispensable for survival or camping in the wild. She made a mental note about commenting on it to the Royal Lab back in central Hyrule. Luckily for them, Link had the solution to their problem. He collected a shard of flint from his pouch and approached a spare candle forgotten on the desk. His agile fists made them collide against each other, creating friction. Princess Zelda quietly studied the process, never having witnessed a natural form of making fire so closely before. Eventually, sparks appeared between the dark minerals. It created a mesmerising contrast with the darkness ruling the bedroom. The light made the creeping shadows pop with each sign of warmth. The heat from each collision ended up consuming the wick with energy, creating a fickle flame that ended up growing into a stable source of fire. Zelda immediately allowed the safflina to burn with it, snapping out of her trance as soon as she felt her knight's glance at her.
The sweet smell from the yellowish petals filled the room. It was just a matter of time before it induced them both to rest. Judging by the look on his face, Princess Zelda guessed Link had never used this kind of herbal method for daily purposes. At that point, she was extremely used to it: rituals, praying, sleeping, calming her nerves… The handmaids were constantly using the natural resources in her chambers. And Zelda really believed more people should acknowledge the hidden properties of their local flora. That was her research's purpose, in part, to make wisdom reach all citizens. Unfortunately, not a lot of beings valued the encrypted uses of daily elements surrounding them. Link didn't seem to be one of them, though.
"You will sleep too." More like a command, Zelda spat it out as a playful warning. She didn't want him to spend the night awake. She really could notice how sleep deprivation affected his physical form. Allowing him to perform his duty 24 hours a day wasn't ethically correct.
Everybody, hero or not, needed his rest. The electric safflina would take care of that for her.
As an exception, the organisation committee was allowed to celebrate the victory feast outside the town's walls. Warm lamps made with colourful crystals hung from them, illuminating the area surrounding the nearest perimeter, ensuring safety for the celebration. Several rows of tables were placed vertically on both sides. Drinks, cocktails, shakes, alcohol… All kinds of beverages were displayed proudly. On the other side was displayed the most delicious food, where the gerudo specialities were placed. The cooks had outdone themselves, adding decorations to the glasses and having cut marvellous shapes to divide fruit, meat and vegetables into portions. There even was a hydromelon carved with a sand seal motive. On the drinks table was also displayed an ice sculpture in the shape of a molduga, the beast of the gerudo sands. The attention to detail allowed the hawk-eyed spectators to notice all of its elaborate forms. Plus, the chilly climate of the nocturnal desert avoided it from melting down to a shapeless figure. All had been planned carefully, after all.
Link and Zelda appeared shortly after the gerudo had summoned themselves outside town. The knight was wearing his royal guard uniform, taking advantage of its leathery gloves and boots to shelter himself from the coldness. The fitting had been improved by the princess who, adjusting the belt properly, achieving to make the uniform adapt to Link's short height. Zelda, on the other hand, wore a long-sleeved plain blue dress with wide ends on both the cloth from the sleeves and the skirt's hem. The golden belt was probably the most remarkable element of her simple yet elegant gown. Two locks of her hair had been braided carefully to meet in the back of her head, where those merged in a single thicker braid. The rest of her mane billowed gently with the wind. Rest had done them both good.
The gerudo clapped with their arrival, excited to finally celebrate a proper feast with the pair of hylian champions. Even the matriarch vowed slightly at them, paying them the appropriate respects. The princess leaned forward in response, clapping along with them. The lights above them were so bright that Kara Kara Bazaar was even discernible within dusk's horizon in the distance. Surely, from the distance, whoever saw it could swear sunrays were still bathing the region's dunes.
Once the crown gave the proper welcome, Urbosa raised her palm in order to demand silence to speak. She was wearing the gerudo traditional clothing in her own colour palette. Shades of blue, green and red wrapped her muscular figure with several layers of cloth. As a sign of her rank, she was currently wearing the gerudo crown on top of her voluminous ponytail. The crowd hushed progressively, gawking at the regal leader posted before the town's entrance. She motioned for the hylian pair to come closer and so they obeyed. A small platform had been placed to lift the visual area for the assistants to the celebration, which wasn't small.
"It is an honour to have your presence with us tonight." Urbosa spoke, summoning a pair of gerudo guards beside her. Despite the formal protocol of her words, she possessed the skill to make them sound truthful. Besides, her eyes had softened considerably after giving chase to the Yiga Clan. A day of rest had definitely done them all well.
"We want to start this celebration with a symbolic offering." She announced. Link looked around, mouth watering at the sight of the amount of food displayed. The matriarch couldn't help but smile. "Aside from this banquet-..." An obviously playful glance was set upon the knight, catching his attention again. "...-we also wanted to gift the legendary hero and the godly princess with one of our specialities."
The pair of guards at each side of the leader displayed two boxes. They had been carefully wrapped with colourful paper very similar to the one used for the garlands. Despite this detail, the lack of a bow was still noticeable. Princess Zelda didn't give significant importance to the fact since it was already rare that the woman-exclusive town behaved so tolerant around a voe like Link. The effort was already enough to show their gratitude for counting on them in the war against The Calamity. A lot of things could have gone wrong, -from the piloting request to the assassination attempt later-, but destiny had rewarded their perseverance with favourable events. Everybody collaborated in order to ensure success during the hylian's diplomatic visit. The feast was a mere temporary farewell. And Urbosa wouldn't allow their goodbyes to be less than remarkable.
"Our artisans crafted these jewels with the finest metals and gems from all of Hyrule. Please, accept it as a sign of our alliance." Captain Terrake said, coordinately lifting the top of the box with her subordinate.
Two golden headpieces were displayed before the hylian pair. The regular citizens weren't aware of the gift, so a part of the crowd remained expectant at the reveal of its content.
Zelda, on one hand, had been assigned a lineal crown, similar to the one she wore in Hyrule castle but customised with precious stones and minerals. Blue, green and red jewels shone brightly on top of it. The simple yet elegant design of it could allow her to wear it as a headband. Urbosa knew of the princess' practical habits, so she had specifically commanded the artisans to craft the design with comfort as a priority aside from highlighting her beauty. They had achieved a mesmerising result. The colours represented the gerudo precedence yet the shape adjusted to Zelda perfectly. It looked like a gift from the desert people yet it didn't look as exotic as any other ornament. The crown was wearable in her daily routine back in the castle, and that was what mattered the most.
Link, on the other hand, had been given a circular headpiece with palm tree leaves motifs on each side. In the centre, a deep cerulean topaz gleamed proudly. This piece had been designed to not be exaggeratedly ornamental but also practical. He could wear it under his rebel bangs to keep them separated from his forehead while fighting. Maybe the accessory was something hylian knights weren't used to wearing, but luckily at least the colours combined with the royal guard outfit. He didn't seem to know what to do with it at first. He fidgeted with it, being careful not to break the precious object.
"It would be my honour if you wore it, at least tonight." Urbosa demanded in a soft tone. The comment was directed to Link rather than Zelda, who was already displaying the crown on top of her head.
Anybody could guess the Goron to be the metallurgy specialists, though it was a common misconception among the tourists that visited Hyrule. Despite their volcanic terrains, the lack of esthetic inclination in the tribe considered the fabrication of tools beyond weapons a waste of time. The task had been redirected, a while ago, to the exclusively women town who either way, male attention or not around, loved to craft mesmerizing clothing and accessories. One only had to look at the most loyal tradition dwellers to find it out themselves.
Eventually, the matriarch had to approach the confused hero to aid in placing the headpiece properly. The princess helped too, taming his wild hair so it could fit perfectly. The women crowd clapped loudly after seeing the hylian pair with the bestowed gifts. Zelda wore it like a natural while Link seemed confused about how to proudly wear his gift. The gerudo didn't care. They were more occupied with examining the voe's presence rather than staring at the headpiece. Urbosa glanced at them with a slight smirk and then returned her entire attention to the heiress to the throne. She detected a spark of something unknown in the gerudo's eyes.
"You resemble your dear mother even more now, little bird." Urbosa complimented. Not being able to resist the urge to caress her delicate face, she finally gave in. The princess leaned against the touch slightly to show gratitude and acceptance. The mere mention of her mother would have caused her to tear up earlier, but now that she was an adult beginning to see how life as an adult regent worked, she felt a calming warmth embracing her heart. "The Queen would be very proud to see how far you've come."
"Urbosa… I can't thank you enough for your words." Princess Zelda expressed, holding back some treacherous tears. "And for your constant support as ruler and friend." She added afterwards.
Urbosa nodded with a poignant smile and then redirected her eyes to the crowd to conclude her speech. "This is the kind of unity we are searching for in our alliance with King Rhoam's forces. Follow our example and honour the gerudo spirit during The Calamity's era. Only then, just like today, victory will be ours!"
More cheers and applause filled the desert. With a single motion from their ruler, the banquet began. A piece of soft instrumental music with intricate percussive elements filled the normally-silent air. And as the musicians kept playing in the background, the assistants to the celebration went on with their vivid conversations. Link, for instance, was one of the first to reach the table. He kept himself busy with the gerudo pastries and snacks and, judging by his expression, some were too spicy for his liking. The hylian princess giggled discreetly though not silent enough to avoid Urbosa noticing the amusement.
"I have one more thing for you, Your Highness." She began, snapping Zelda out of her distracted form. "I was hoping I could hand it on private."
The mortal goddess didn't discuss the matriarch and followed her way. They left the banquet behind, escort included, to their own. Zelda noticed that the expression on Urbosa's face had deepened. Not because of anger or sadness: but more like a nostalgic aura that surrounded her. As they crossed the lonely town, the princess silently kept on elaborating schematic theories in her head about the matter. It had been always easier to think straight in the nocturnal ambience. That night in the Gerudo desert was no exception. Emotional intelligence had never been one of the princess' strengths though she could tell sorrow was clouding the matriarch this time. That twitch on her right brow, the rigid expression on her bluish lips, the way her fingers tightened in a fist as they went upstairs… All indicated a serious matter had to be discussed.
"You didn't need to get me anything else, Urbosa. The crown is already enough." Zelda reminded out loud as they reached the gerudo's private bedroom. From the height of that second floor, the princess could see beyond Kara Kara Bazaar in the distance. The top of the stairs was the perfect spot for sightings and control inspections on the immediate land. The burden of the throne had to be as heavy on Urbosa as it was on her father, Zelda supposed.
"Actually, I was instructed to give this once an arranged marriage was called for your rule's sake." The sentence made the princess turn and face an old journal in the matriarch's hands. Its cover had a leathery texture that gave away it was made of the best quality materials. But Zelda didn't notice Hyrule's royal emblem until she opened the first pages, where the golden stamp was proudly displayed. "I think times like this require major support. Your mother would agree as well." She continued.
The cold pages of exquisite calligraphy soon turned to a familiar sight that brought Zelda to lean on a nearby seat. The memory of a long-gone childhood struck the royal heiress with a lurking chill up her spine. She was holding her mother's journal. The Queen's most sincere thoughts were just at her hand's reach: now revealed and displayed for her to know all the details of her mother's short though plentiful life. Did another single soul know the contents kept on it? Who had been privileged enough to hold such a beloved item in their hands before her?
"She gave it to you…" Zelda thought out loud while gawking at Urbosa as if she had been keeping a unique treasure. It was, in some sort of way though. Questions filled her mind in thunderous confusion. All doubts came out as frenetic questions: "Did Mother know of her disease? Was this her last will for my future's sake?" The answers to all of her questions, sadly, were affirmative.
"I had read the whole thing several times during sleepless nights." The matriarch explained while taking a seat next to the princess. "It won't be a spiritual guide for you to follow, but her words will soothe you, hopefully."
As much as the hylian princess tried, her jade eyes couldn't move from the old pages. She had been submitted to a profound trance of letters and considerations. Not only words but also simple drawings and daily documents were attached to a few pages. The research Zelda herself assured to continue what was left of her mother's Divine Beasts' unearthing studies. She definitely knew about the Queen's scientific inclinations too but, little did Zelda know, that such research had been the object of her free time as well.
"No riches could ever compete against the value of this journal." The princess sentenced, trying to recover the stability of her emotions. She collected herself, finally, after a few deep breaths. "I will treasure it as much as the crown."
Urbosa nodded with acknowledgement and finally let a hint of a smile show. She got up from the seat and offered her hand for the princess to join her back to the banquet. Zelda gladly accepted and, despite the notable absence, they took their time for the return. The drumming's reverberation echoed with the night's chill. The people's cheerful talking could also be heard from inside the town's walls. Its unusual sound calmed the gerudo's ruthless spirit. It was, in part, the reason for the matriarch's sincerity. The other motivation driving her sudden sincerity was the bond she had shared with the late queen. And the deep appreciation for the orphan princess, of course.
"You know, if your father troubles you, I can always notify a malfunction on Vah Naboris." She joked before reaching the main exit. Despite the bright glow in Zelda's eyes, Urbosa could identify sadness veiling over her expression for the stay in Gerudo Desert was over.
The light teasing made the princess genuinely laugh. They both agreed on covering each other if the situation became overwhelming. She wished it could be done though the mere possibility wasn't. At least the matriarch had tried to enlighten the mood. And most importantly, she had given her the queen's diary: an opportunity to know her hopes and burdens personally, as an adult and future heir to the throne. Her mother had been so thoughtful that even in death, Zelda was left with her guidance.
"He seems to be having fun too." The comment made the princess snap out of her twirl of thoughts. She followed the direction of the matriarch's sharp eyes, finding the appointed knight eating viciously as a gerudo warrior talked non-stop. Zelda didn't recognise the visible signs of a flirtatious intention despite the obvious predisposition. Her lack of interaction in the romantic field hadn't taught her about body language yet. Urbosa, however, had her fair share of experience and immediately noticed the blatant try. "With limited social skills, but still." She added later.
On another occasion, the comment would have made the princess smirk discreetly. This time, however, Zelda was too busy focusing on the interaction between Link and the young gerudo fighter. Before the lack of conversation, the warrior gifted a traditional desert dagger to the hylian knight. Despite the effort, Link didn't take the hint.
A soft sigh escaped Princess Zelda's rosy lips.
Oh, how the tables turn, Urbosa thought to herself.
Get ready to say goodbye to the gerudo desert for now. This chapter is pretty much a sneak peek at the dynamic between Link and Zelda in this new arc. Expect more development and Zora's domain visit soon.
Yours, Stella.
