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Chapter 22: Departure

Link withdrew the his sword, returning to its sheath and offering his other hand to Urbosa. She took it as she stood back to her full height, once again towering over Link. Retrieving her sword from the ground, she also sheathed it and stuck out her hand to shake Link's.

"I can see why you were appointed as the princess's knight." Urbosa said, "I didn't know that they also trained the Hylian soldiers to fight in the Gerudo fashion."

"They don't." Zelda replied before Link could.

Urbosa's brow raised in surprise, "All the more impressive. Where did you learn it?"

"You I guess, seeing your style made more sense than Buliara's when she was training the guards." Link replied.

"Well, I'm glad to see our princess here is in such capable hands. You learn quick, but I'd like a rematch sometime, can't let you get too cocky now." She said, Link smiled and nodded his head in response. "What do you say we call it a night then."

They each took up their places around the fire, Link looked over to Riju who had just been staring at him wide-eyed since they had finished their bout but hadn't said a word. She was now whispering something with Zelda, but he couldn't hear their conversation, he'd have to ask Zelda about it later. The women talked for a bit longer, mostly about politics regarding the other races. Link preferred the people over the politics, mostly because he didn't really know the political jargon. However, he pretended to listen politely and gave the occasional nod for affirmation that he was still paying attention. Luckily, they didn't actually expect him to chime in. It wasn't long before their exhaustion got to them and they snuffed out the fire.

He smiled over to Zelda and she smiled back to him, it would be the first night they slept separately in a while. Their relationship had started not long ago but it already felt like they had been together forever. They'd be back on the road again tomorrow, and they wouldn't have to hold up their act anymore. At least until they arrived to Rito village, he closed his eyes, eager for tomorrow to come.

Link was the first one awake as usual, then Urbosa, Zelda, and Riju was last. They stretched out the kinks from their muscles while they ate the small breakfast Link had scrounged together. He realized that his shoulder was still sore from sparring with Urbosa the night before, she really had been relentless. He'd been through worse, so he was able to manage it.

They cleaned up camp and made their way to the entrance of Vah Naboris. The seals were lounging around outside just where they had left them, a few of them still barely waking up. Link fed the seals some of the snacks he had and gave some to Riju who wanted to feed Patricia herself. Strapping themselves in, they set off back towards the town in their previous formation. Riju and Zelda still took up the front chatting away as they sped across the desert. Urbosa rode next to Link for a while before starting up some small talk.

"What are your plans from here?" She asked.

"Rito Village, but I'm not sure from there."

"I'm sure Elder Kaneli will have some advice. The old bird may seem senile but he's undoubtedly wise."

"I hope so."

"I'm sure this is redundant but I still feel obligated to say it…"

Link looked at her questioningly before she continued.

"Take care of each other Link, the princess is happy with you, I'd like to always see her like that. I know her mother would be proud to see her now." She said.

The rest of their trip went without another word, they arrived at the town in no time and returned the seals back to their owners. Urbosa and Riju hugged Zelda while saying their goodbyes, Link and Urbosa exchanged a quick nod and the pair set off. Riju called out a quick Sav'orq, come and see us again soon.

It would be a long journey to Rito village but it was one that Link welcomed. The hardest part would be getting over the Gerudo highlands which would take them a longer time to traverse, but it was still quicker than going all the way around. They could at least coast from the Gerudo Highlands down to the Tabantha Frontier.

They decided to walk rather than take sand seals across the desert so that Zelda could enjoy her new outfit a little longer. The goddesses knew the King would probably never approve of her wearing an outfit like that again so she wanted to take advantage of their time. They were able to maintain a quick pace across the desert and managed to make it to the Sasa Kai shrine just before nightfall. The pair decided to remain there for the night and it gave Zelda a chance to explore the shrine.

It was quickly getting colder now that they were closer to the highlands, so they descended into the shrine as soon as possible. Upon entering, Link remembered the layout of the shrine, the Sheikah Slate had described it as a modest test of strength once before.

"We can stay, but we can't go into that main room." He said.

Link wasn't sure if he really wanted her taking this one on, although it was a test, the weapons were real and she could get seriously hurt.

Zelda pouted slightly in response, "and why not?" she asked.

Link hesitated for a moment before finally telling her, "This is meant to be a test of strength and there's a guardian scout in there we'd have to face. I could take care of it myself, but I just don't want you taking it on alone."

Zelda thought it over for a moment, she was slightly disappointed, but she wasn't arrogant enough to try to take it on alone. She didn't quite know her way around a sword yet and this would be a little dangerous with just arrows.

"Could I at least help you?" She asked.

He thought it over, as long as he protected her it couldn't hurt for her to help him he supposed.

"Sure, but, stay behind me and if you see it charging, hide behind the columns in there, understood?" he said, she nodded her head to confirm, "Alright, let's go."

They walked out to the open room, Zelda with bow in hand and an arrow already nocked. She stood one pace behind and to the right of Link who had his Master sword and Hylian shield already in hand. Sensing their presence, the room shook as the center platform raised up and presented the guardian scout to them. It held a sword, spear, and shield in its three arms. Its orange lights pulsed when it came to life and its single eye locked onto them.

The scout darted across the room and immediately started firing quick beams which Link easily blocked with his shield. Link waited for it to begin its attack since it held its shield firmly out in front. As the scout raised its sword however, Zelda sniped its arm with what Link could only assume was a light arrow. It impacted so heavily that it broke the sword right out of the arm. Link knew she could do it but he didn't know she had such fine control over her powers already. The scout seemed to also be unsure of what happened, and Link was able to get a couple swipes in before it rearranged its spear arm to the front.

It leapt backwards and pointed all 3 arms outwards, Link recognized that it was getting ready to charge.

"Move behind the column!" he called out to Zelda.

She took cover behind the closest one but still leaned around it to take another shot at the scout. Just as it started charging, she nailed its legs causing it to skid across the ground. Unable to move around anymore, it tucked its legs beneath itself and began to hum. It was going to try and charge multiple concussive beams. Link looked over to Zelda who was already pulling back another arrow, he found himself oddly fascinated by her as she poured all of her focus into the shot. Zelda let out her breath, steadied her aim, and let the arrow soar through the air striking the scout right in its eye and completely shutting it down. Zelda was giddy with excitement as Link came over to hug her.

"You really are incredible." Link said causing her to blush. "Your control over your powers is really improving."

"I suppose recent journey has really helped with that." She replied.

"If you keep this up the King might decide that you don't need me anymore." He laughed.

"I can't always play a damsel-in-distress you know."

Link smiled and pecked her on the cheek, "I guess not."

They made their way through the large room and Zelda took some time to look around the shrine. There wasn't much to take in, so she finished quickly. Their next day was going to be a long one, especially with the hike through the snow so they decided to turn in earlier than usual. Zelda prepared their usual spot within the shrines and Link soon followed her so they could get comfortable for the night.