Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Heroes

Chapter 10: Deal?

Link woke up to the sun shining on his face. It glowed a heavenly color, indicating that it was early in the morning. As Link situated himself, he looked down to see his waist wrapped in the arms of Malon. The blankets covered all but her head and arms.

Link couldn't help it when a sly grin spread over his face upon seeing the love of his life like this with him. Last night was both a blur to him, and extremely detailed to him. He had no words, and yet so many to describe it.

But, as much as he'd like to stay in this position for years, Link was still expected to meet with Nabooru about Jo-Ann, the Gerudo they needed to find for their little team.

So, he carefully made his out of the bed, and out of Malon's arms.

He took a few minutes to get dressed in his Gerudo robes. His weapons at his back. It took him great skill in order to get out of the room without making a sound that would wake up his sleeping fiance. Before she left, he left a note that read, Malon, I went to speak with Nabooru about Jo-Ann. Don't wait up for me here. When you get up, meet the others in the throne room.

Once he was out of the room, he looked down to see Flynn sleeping to the right of the door, with Navi resting on his head.

He smiled and pet the sleeping wolf.

Before he took off for the throne room, he left the same type of note for his sleeping comrades, slipping the note under the door for them.

When he entered, he could practically hear the guards whispering to each other about the man in Gerudo clothing.

Link approached Nabooru, who still seemed to be somewhat tired.

She noticed the young man approaching her, and tried to appear more level-headed.

Nabooru, "Hello Link. Glad to see you slept well."

Link thought, I slept, yes, but not for very long….

Link stifled a snicker, as he didn't know how Nabooru would react.

Link, "I slept fine Lady Nabooru. I just wanted to get up early enough to discuss Jo-Ann."

Nabooru, "ah yes. The thief…."

Link, "you said you locked her up for stealing, correct?"

Nabooru, "yes. She stole from me!"

Link, "what would it take for me to convince you to release her?"

Nabooru, "I need some sort of compensation for letting them go."

Link, "hmm…."

Link pondered what exactly he could offer.

Link, "on our quest, we are trying to rescue the Princess Zelda, as well as my sister, while dealing with the Demon King. I suppose I could ask them to compensate you for your efforts?"

Nabooru would be losing if she said she didn't like the sound of that.

And so she said, "I suppose, if you give me your word?"

Link bowed down, "as the Hero of Time, a knight in training, and on my mother's spirit, I promise that you'll be compensated for your help and freedom for the prisoner."

Nabooru smiled, "well said young man. Very well, I will let you take the prisoner!"

Link, "splendid! Now, if I may be able to see Jo-Ann and speak with her about our little arrangement?"

Nabooru, "that seems adequate. Alright, two of my guards will take you to see them."

Nabooru snapped her fingers, and out from one of the hallways emerged two armored Gerudo.

Nabooru, "ladies, take the young man to meet Jo-Ann, the thief."

The guards nodded their heads, and beckoned for Link to follow them.

Link obliged, and followed them down the hall.

He heard many yells towards the guards from various prisoners.

Some were very inappropriate remarks.

But, one prisoner wasn't yelling. And it was the one that Link had come to see.

Link and the two guards stood in front of a dark cell out of many.

Link peered through the bars to see a lanky Gerudo woman sitting with their legs crossed, with their back to the bars.

Link glanced at the guard to his left. The guard shrugged in return.

Link, "h-hello, Jo-Ann?"

The Gerudo slightly turned her head to the young hero.

She said, "and who is speaking?"

Link, "my name is Link. I need to speak with you."

Jo-Ann, "what do you want boy?"

Link, "first, I'm a young man, not a little boy. Second, I need your help. It involves…. Ganon."

Jo-Ann stiffened at the mention of , "and why should I help you?"

Link, "because I can get you outta this place."

Jo-Ann turned her head further towards Link.

"How?!"

Link, "I've talked with Lady-Nabooru. She and I made a deal. Once all of this over, in exchange for your freedom, they will be compensated by the Princess of Hyrule."

Jo-Ann made their way onto their feet, and walked towards Link. She stood in front of him, only operated by the bars.

Jo-Ann, "why?"

Link, "w-what?"

Jo-Ann "why? Why would you bargain for my freedom?"

Link, "I was told that you are one of many warriors who are meant to help me on my journey to defeat the Demon-King."

Jo-Ann, "and who else do you have on this little team of yours?"

Link, "a Goron named Chuko, a Zora named Shin-Ju, a fairy named Navi, a stalfos named Skull-Kid, my fiance Malon, and my wolf Flynn."

Jo-Ann, "and…. What if I say no?"

Link, "you stay locked up for the next fifty years, or you come with us and walk free?"

Jo-Ann weighed her options.

After about two minutes of her pondering everything, she said, "when do we leave?"

Link, "heh, as soon as you're ready! I just need to get my team together!"

Link stepped back as one of the guards opened the door to the cell.

Jo-Ann stepped out, dressed in some Old Gerudo robes.

Link started walking down the hall once more with the guards, with Jo-Ann now with him.

The prisoners now yelled about not being let go like the thief he now had in his team.

When Link entered the room, he saw all of his companions waiting for him.

He was glad they'd read his notes.

He saw them all turn to him as he walked towards them. He also noticed them look at the Gerudo walking beside him. The guards returned to their posts as Link now stood in front of his team.

Link, "everyone, this is our final member of the team, Jo-Ann!"

Jo-Ann stepped forward, and was greeted by the others.

Shin, "hello tall lady!"

Chuko, "a pleasure to meet you!"

Flynn sagged his tail at their new comrade.

Skull, "great, another person! We have another weapon ordered ourselves!"

Malon, "skull", she yelled, "sorry about him. Nice to meet you, I'm Malon!"

She held out her hand to Jo-Ann. She stared at it, and slowly shook it.

Navi flew back onto Links head for the millionth time on this adventure.

Jo-Ann seemed unfazed by all of the new faces before her. Link didn't know why that was at first, but figured it involved being imprisoned for a while.

Link walked away from the group, and stood before Nabooru once more.

He bowed down, "thank you Lady Nabooru! We appreciate your help, and look forward to meeting you again in the future."

Nabooru chuckled, "thank you hero. Just remember our deal, and I'll wish you the same thing!"

Link smiled as he rose, and began to make his way out of the throne room, through the large doors once again.

Once he reached the doors, he noticed the looks Nabooru and Jo-Ann gave each other.

It seemed to be a look of mutual respect, understanding, or whatever you liked to call it.

Link finally exited the temple, his team followed him with their new cohort. They picked up Epona from the stables. They also bought a large number of supplies for their journey back into the desert. Especially water.

Once they were all ready to go, they made their way out of the city. They took a few moments for Shin, Link, and Skull to change back into their normal garb. Chuko kept the poncho on though. He seemed to like it very much.

Link and Malon sat on Epona once again. Skull hopped onto Flynn, and Chuko picked up Shin. Jo-Ann stood there with them, seemingly okay with walking through the blistering desert.

And so, they started their long trek back into the desert. And they were unaware of the large attack waiting for them at the edge of it….

Meanwhile….

Ghirahim had just put Ganon's orders into place. The largest squadron of moblins they could muster were on the outskirts of the desert. All of them hungry for the flesh of the boy with the Master-Sword. He was now making his way to the dungeons. He had one more order to carry out before he could have time to relax.

He entered the dungeon. It was dark, with only a few torches to light up the walls. He walked down a few cells, passing many starving prisoners. He eventually came to the one he was looking for. Inside of the cell were two girls.

Princess Zelda, and Aryll.

The little girl still had tears in her eyes. She wouldn't stop crying whenever she was up. She lay in Zelda's lap, the young Princess trying to comfort her.

Ghirahim thought, ungrateful little brat! Lord Ganon gives them food, and yet they don't even show any gratitude! Pah!

Zelda on the other hand, wasn't crying. Instead, her face held anger. Seething anger. And all of it was directed at the man outside her cell.

He spoke, "Zelda…. A pleasure as always to see you and the little one….", he smiled with a shit-eating grin.

Zelda growled at him, "what do you want bastard? You've already taken me hostage, and taken this poor girl for no reason. What could you possibly want now!?"

Ghirahim, "my master wants you and the girl to be kept in the throne room."

Zelda, "why? Why the Hell does he want us in there!?"

Ghirahim, "He has his reasons. Be prepared for two moblins to escort you there in handcuffs. I've told them not to harm you as of yet, so that's one thing you don't have to worry about."

Aryll spoke weakly, "what about my brother? Where is he?"

Ghirahim's smile faded slightly. Even he felt a twinge of pain for the child.

He gave her an answer, "your brother is out there right now, trying to find you and the Princess."

Both Aryll and Zelda perked up at the news.

Zelda had hoped someone would come to help them.

Ghirahim now wanted to get their hopes up now, and dash them once the boy was dead. He wanted to revel in what would transpire later.

So, patient as ever, he continued.

"He is travelling with a small group. A Zora boy, a Gerudo Thief is believed to have joined him, a Goron, some small boy who seems to be a Stalfos, a fairy, his horse and wolf, and a young woman."

Zelda thought, Malon! She must be helping Link!

Aryll thought, my brother is getting people to help him help us! He's so brave! I know he'll win!

Ghirahim, "maybe if you're lucky, they'll survive the moblins we've set up for them at the edge of the desert…."

He smiled smugly as the girls faces turned from relief to shock. He walked away without saying another word.

Aryll looked at Zelda and said, "is my brother gonna die?"

Zelda hugged the girl, "no dear. I'm sure your brother is going to save us. Him and his new friends too. We just have to be strong, and show Ganondorf not to mess with us!"

Aryll smiled at Zelda, now filled with hope as she started to get sleepy. Zelda laid her head on her lap, stroking the girls hair as she thought, I just hope Link can get through those moblins….

Sorry it takes so long to finish these chapters! I'll have more action soon, I promise! Also, I finally found a place to include Zelda and Aryll, to see how they're doing in Ghirahim's clutches in the dungeons. I'll try to get the next chapter done as soon as possible! Stay tuned, and be good people!