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Chapter 12-The Long-Awaited Arrival
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Sheik's POV
'Sheik wakes from where she was sleeping within Impa's house as she hears a crack of thunder. Most storms do not bother her, but there was something, unnatural to this one. The skies had shown no sign of there being a storm brewing, though it did not feel as though it was from some fell power. She steps outside and even over the winds gusting through the walkways between houses. As she gathers her bearings, she hears an ocarina playing a tune that matches the feel of rain hitting the ground around her, the music box filling the background flowing with the gusts of wind. Looking towards the windmill, she sees the blades begin to spin faster and faster until the water from inside the well erupts out of the top. The door leading to the windmill opens a few moments later and a miniature figure steps from the shadows within.
Tracking the moving figure with her eyes, she begins to move towards the well as she watches the figure leap over the side of it and down into the newly opened depths. As she reaches the well, pushing against the still howling winds and beating rain, she looks into the shadowed depths, but the figure has already disappeared deeper into the depths. Climbing down, she moves forward until she reaches a dead end with a skeleton leaning against the wall. Darkness sits heavily in the area, and though she has started her training, she feels that this is much removed from her current level and so turns and leaves once more, vowing to tell Impa the next morning when she returned from the Temple. She returns to the house, but gives one final glance back towards the well. Though ocarinas were not uncommon...but surely not, he had not been seen for weeks since it was last reported he entered the Temple...Pulling the door closed, she turns her gaze back inside and finds Impa sitting near the fireplace...'
I wake with a small start. After remembering my surroundings How could I have forgotten about that, and why did it just now come to me? Now that the memory had made itself known, she remembered rushing over to Impa and telling her of what she had seen and found at the bottom of the well. With an expressionless face, Impa nodded and said she and some of those within the city will move to block up the entrance to it the next morning and requesting that I don't make another trip to that area as it was filled with many dangers and spirits that were meant to be left alone.
Turning on my side to get comfortable on the bed once more, my thoughts continue to rush through my head trying to understand why this memory sprang back to the front of my mind, through a dream no less, and why does it seem like to a part of me, that it didn't happen that way. Still not comfortable, I roll over onto my back once more and stare at the ceiling. Just as my mind begins to muddle once more from sleep, it makes sense... "He's gone back" I softly gasp into the dark, amazed at the fact that he could change my memory of things even now, though they should have happened years ago, and yet they did but still left me with a shadow of a memory from before. Time shouldn't work like this, should it? If it happened in the past, whether he had done it or not, it should have already had the change from even before he did it in my time...right? The whole idea that he was currently changing things within my memory, and most likely others around me also right now, was stunning and confusing all at once. It shouldn't be happening like this, there is no telling what he may change and how that will affect where people are right now and what they may be doing...will this affect what he has already done in the future, in the now for us? or is that already set in stone? Will this change how people respond to things?
My mind now was working in overdrive as I thought of all the dangerous possibilities and outcomes this could have on things around us. If things changed too much to where a person would have been in a different place...whould that mean they would disappear? Will Gwyn disappear now because that small thing had changed? I quickly glance over to where she had laid down to sleep for the night and with the minimal light given from the moon saw that she was indeed still in the bed sleeping. Running back through my mind, I checked to see if there was anything else that had been changed along with this memory. Nothing seemed out of place, no shadows of memories surrounding anything since Link had come back though there were a few that seemed to wait on just the other side of that boundary though most of them were fuzzy enough as it is. I sigh in relief that I still had my sister and none of our work at the Temples had come undone. For now, my mind was content in the knowledge that he hadn't messed anything too important up, though I expected a very good reason for why he went back in time and changed things once he returned from the Temple. A very good reason indeed... I think to myself as I finally drift back into sleep.
A few hours later, I wake up once more. The sunlight was filtering in through the windows with the curtains half drawn. I lay on my bed, just staring at the ceiling once more, the fuzzy memories from before Link returned to the past were hardly rememberable now, more like most dreams I usually have; at the start they were fresh in your mind, but then you slowly forget what really happened in it while you know there was something there that you just cant remember. Something being drawn in the sand on the beach, but every time the time rolls in, the water washes a little more away, only leaving you with the knowledge that something was once there. Gwyn stirs from next to me as she slowly returns from the lands of Morpheus. She sits bolt upright after a few seconds and looks over in my direction with a strange expression on her face.
"What is going on right now?" she asks in a quiet voice. "Why are there two different memories of the same day for me? One I feel like actually happened, but the other feels, almost...new..." Her eyes become slightly distant as I guess she starts working through other memories and trying to discern that caused these strange happenings.
I turn and look at her in the eyes as she finally starts to focus back on the present, "Link has travelled back into the past, for what reasons I'm not sure, but I am experiencing the same thing as you. My guess is that these are the memories of things before her went back and did something else, and the memories we now have since he has gone back in time and changed a few things. I'm confused though because...well, it seems like if he was going to go back into the past in the future, it should have changed our present at the time he came back to whether the present Link had gone back in time or not...does that make sense?"
Gwyn tilts her head slightly and her face takes on a look of deep thought, "You're saying that we should have remembered it already happening whether the Link we have been traveling with had decided to go back yet or not? Here's the real question though, how did he know he needed to go back in time? Surely someone in our time couldn't have told him already if we are just now gaining the knowledge of him going back, so how could someone else tell him what he needed to know if they didn't have any foreknowledge?"
We both settle into silence as our brains work and slowly pull us into major headaches. I turn to Gwyn after a bit, "Let's not worry about it for now. Link is the Master of Time, he may have a better understanding of things the way he does of the Gerudo Tradition and background."
Gwyn nods thoughtfully, "Speaking of which, there is a Temple in the desert that we go to when come of age, is that the next place we are going? If so, we need to figure out what to do about you and Link. I will probably be allowed back into the fortress without too much trouble, but you are a Sheikah, one of our biggest enemies, and Link is a guy, which is actually considered an even worse place in our society that you Sheikah are. Well, Sheikah females at least, I don't know who is ranked lower between the Sheikah males and just...males. Anyways, the main point is there may be some problems, though you being my Sister of the Blade will probably make it easy for you to get in now that I think about it. And that isn't even taking in to consideration that we should probably try to tell our elders that there is a chance that Link is actually rightful King. If he can prove it, however they elders decide to do that, then you will probably gain some very helpful allies in tis fight."
I sit silently for a few seconds before nodding, "And they must be told, especially if Ganondorf is tearing them down from the inside out like he seems to be doing with the rest of Hyrule. Any idea on how they would go about having him prove his claim is true?"
Gwyn shakes her head and explains that there hadn't been a challenge to the throne in a few millennia, a single male is born within the Gerudo ranks, the rest are girls, and there has never been a King to live past the length of his reign. Ganondorf must have done some unholy rituals and spells to allow him to live this extended period of time, and if how old he looks is any measure of just how long his life actually is, we may be in for a very long time with him as King if he isn't overthrown or shown to be a fake."
We fall back into silence. This could be problematic... We sit for a while longer, lost in our own thoughts before the now familiar tug on my mind draws me towards the Light Temple. I look over at Gwyn and tell her to come with me, we have another meeting with Link. She looks at me strangely and is about to ask something before I grab her hand and take us to the Light Temple. There is still the single beam of light coming from the window at the top of the Temple, shedding some light to the rest of the room, there on the pedestal is the Master Sword, stuck into its stone holder. Gwyn turns to me with questioning eyes and I shrug, "It makes no sense to me either, but Link must be returning to here shortly from the past."
"When you said we needed to meet Link, I thought you meant he was already done with the Temple." Gwyn said softly as she looks around the slightly run down Temple in awe. Though most Temples were hidden slightly and only known to those who needed to know or the peoples that went to them as tradition, the Light Temple was well known all throughout Hyrule, built tall and proud for all to come visit and pay their respect to the three Goddesses, revered as the entrance to the Sacred Realm though most did not understand how it worked.
A couple minutes later, a blue shaft of light erupted from the floor and shot high to the ceiling. Gwyn and I shielded our eyes so we wouldn't be blinded but not before seeing a shadow appear in the center of the beam of light. The room returns to its lower level of lighting and we lower our hands from our faces as Link places the master sword back into its sheath once more looking at us curiously.
"Been here very long ladies?" He says with a slight smirk. "Though I must say it is nice to have a waiting party for me this time, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He finishes with a mock bow.
I look on with a slightly amused look as Gwyn reaches over and hits him on the shoulder before she also smiles at him. My face becomes serious as I remember our questions from earlier, "Why did you go back in time and mess with things?" I ask with not a small amount of frustration.
Link looks taken aback at my tone and question and I try to calm myself some, "Sorry" I mutter softly as I look towards the ground. "It's fine, I didn't know it would effect you two, or anyone else. I had to go back and get the Eye of Truth, it was kinda tough trying to figure out how to get around in the temple without this thing. The only reason I made it past the first dead end was because Navi accidentally flew through the wall while trying to keep from being bored. I sat and was meditating while trying to figure out what I was supposed to do. Shortly after Navi flew through the wall, we saw the writing on the skeleton's head that helped things make a lot more sense, but still, the next room, didn't seem like it would make much sense running along every wall with my hand against it to see where the secret passageways were hidden. I came back out from the Temple and asked around about a few things. Mainly the well since that was the area Bongo Bongo came from and I figured there might be something useful in the well but it was blocked off.
"Found out from the weird guy in the Windmill that I played a song for him that causes a storm to happen. So I figured I was supposed to get into the well with that somehow. That is why I went back in time and changed some things, to answer you're earlier question." He finished with a slight smile. "How much did it change for you two? And what was it like?"
For the next couple minutes, we explained what it was like having two conflicting memories of the same day and events and such. After a bit though, the draw was back. I turned to Link and began speaking once more as I heard the words spoken into my head, for some reason he was going to have to return quickly so I taught him the song on the ocarina that would allow him to teleport himself directly here. After he learned the song he looked at me with a slight scowl on his face, "And why exactly are you just now telling me about this song? This would have saved me so much walking time!" He holds his angry face for a few more moments as I become increasingly uncomfortable before it begins to crack and a smile slowly pushes through. I hit his arm and whine about him messing with me.
His chuckling finally comes to an end as he looks at me carefully in silence. The fact that Gwyn is standing there with us is pushed to the side as we continue to look at each other. A different drawing feeling makes me want to move closer and may have subconsciously...until Gwyn coughs lightly and we both turn away, his cheeks blushing slightly, as are mine though they are hidden quite well with the shawl pulled up to just below my eyes. As I look away I see a mischievous glint in Gwyn's eyes and know I will be hearing about this in some manner later.
Or, to my utter horror and embarrassment, now as she opens her mouth, "Alright love birds, you can enjoy your time later when it is just that, your time, for now, it is not so lets get a move on so we can get back to the important things. Unless you want to stay here and kiss while Hyrule crumbles around us." She pauses for a few seconds, "Okay, maybe that was a little harsh, one kiss now and then you can go." She then turns and begins to walk from the Temple.
Link and I flush even worse before Link starts to chuckle while turning to look at me. "You know, I have the ocarina, and you know how to Teleport where ever. It would be quite easy to leave her here for that." Though as he is speaking, his eyes shift some and there is something that draws me towards him once more...hopefulness? Desire? I internally shake my head before dropping my eyes slightly, which doesn't ultimately help at all as I am now looking at his lips. Subconsciously I lick my lips before once more tearing my eyes from the object of their attention and look at the only safe area in that area, his nose. So glad Gwyn can't read my thoughts, his nose? Goddesses I feel like an idiot.
Once again trying to shake myself so I can give at least some answer to his question I focus back on him, pushing my traitorous thoughts to the side for the time being, "Might as well, maybe she'll learn something from it...probably not though, I don't trust either of our luck enough for that." I say with a slight smile and playful tone to my voice.
He chuckles as he pulls out the ocarina, I watch as he wets his lips and pulls the mouthpiece closer before stopping and saying,"Though I must say I trust mine more since I'm going to be in the Temple still by the time she gets back so I get to skip out of the brunt of the verbal explosion once she finds out and gets back." He finishes with a smirk and roguish wink before playing the Nocturne of Shadow and disappearing back to the Shadow Temple. I growl slightly at him though he is already gone. Slipping into the shadows I wait for a short time before Gwyn returns to the Temple area, I hear her as she makes it into the outer chamber of the temple "Okay you two I was totally kidding about the kissing thing, but even still, either you two are about to suffocate or you've gone over the allotted...number...of...oh" She lets out a groan, "I should have known they would leave after that...thought the look on their faces was perfect and more than worth it." A small smile creeps across her face as she seems to look back at the memory. She turns to leave the Temple and mutters softly to herself, "They look so good together...wonder when..." But by this time she was too far out of hearing range. I shake my head before teleporting back to Kakariko to wait for her arrival.
The rest of the day passed without incident, Gwyn finally showed up later that evening a little worse for wear, apparently she was accosted by a few of the ReDead and Poes between the Temple and here, her spirits still seemed unaffected by all this and was still in the mood for some light ribbing at my reaction. Though she did mock scowl at me when I asked how her walk was, before chuckling and asking how long it took for me to finally leave my hero after she left the two of us alone. The argument and jibes that followed made me once again thankful that I had a sister to enjoy in my life, even if she was being a pain right now.
The next few days continued much the same, Gwyn messing with me, slipping in comments or observations that, though to everyone else were simple and just passing statements, were always tuned to a deeper level to my interest in Link, or what she sees as my interest in Link. We helped around the town to continue working on bringing back order and stability to the residents. It had only been three days since the attack on the village and most had calmed down though some were still on edge.
After yet another work filled day, we once more settled in to sleep. Gwyn and I had just settled down in the areas we were sleeping at for the night when the ground began to shake in a cadence. All across town the entire ground shook while low bass notes reverberating off of buildings, rattling the windows. I looked over at Gwyn, a question in her eyes and I simply nod in response; Link is facing the monster of the shadows. Playing a few seconds and then stopping for half a minute, a full minute, and then starting up once again, faster this time. Then silence. The third time the cadence causes the ground to continuously shake still gaining tempo before the beat falters, falls out of rhythm and then ceases completely. By this time, the entire town has rushed outside and people are looking between themselves to see if anyone has an answer as to what is happening. Seeing that none of the people near them look as though they have a clue, the slowly start moving in the direction of the building Gwyn and I decided to stay in for the night.
Seeing the fear and questions in their eyes I explain what is happening, what caused the destruction of the town, and what I guessed the meaning of the events of the past few minutes meant. I ask them to all return to their homes and promise that answers will come the next morning. And come they did, Link was seen exiting the graveyard by most of the people that were up and already moving in the direction of Impa's home. Most of them recognized him instantly, because of his clothes, as the little boy they had seen seven years ago, running around all of Hyrule selling masks or helping people in the different towns. They followed him as he also trekked towards Impa's home where Gwyn and I were staying, the commotion and noise level slowly growing as more and more people called out to him about what happened. He reached our door but was unable to get in as by this time, people crowded in so close he was hardly able to move. Finally he climbed up on a box near the outside wall of Impa's house and motioned for silence.
By this time, Gwyn and I had moved over to one of the windows to watch how he handled the crowd. He spoke clearly, but in a tone that required all to stay silent and not interrupt him and conveyed the power hidden within the young man. He explained what he had done, and though he was surprised that we had all felt the drums from within the Temple, he explained the fight with a small amount of detail, but not enough to scare those who were younger in the audience. The crowd lost all thought of interrupting with questions as they were spell bound by the young man's tale of the battle and cheered raucously once he finished with the killing blow. They knew they were free from the fear of Volvagia and Bongo Bongo because of this young man's courage in te face of danger. After a few minutes of shouted thanks and handshakes, the people began to disperse back to their homes and began working once more to restore the village to it's former glory, talking of more and grander buildings, planning on how to make life just a little bit better for all those who were choosing to call this place their homes.
Link once more works his way to our door and Gwyn and I sprint back to our beds and climb in, giggling lightly, before he sees us out of bed and watching him without offering to help him, he probably wouldn't appreciate that very much. He walks into the main part of the house before walking over to the door that leads into the room where are beds are placed and knocks on the door, "Hey, are you two princesses finished with your beauty sleep yet? Not that you need much more" Gwyn giggles lightly unto the sheets while my face goes pale, is that a hint that he knows? Surely not... Gwyn continues to silently laugh into the sheets until we hear him mutter on the other side of the door, "or is it that no metter how much more they get it won't help?" Gwyn lets out an indignant squawk and flies over to the door slamming it open and barely missing the smiling face of Link whose shoulders are bouncing as he laughs heartily, "Just kidding you two."
He flashes a smile in my direction before noticing the still pale color to my face, "Sheik, you alright there? You aren't looking too good...I mean...you look sick, not that you look ugly...I was kidding before...not that I mean I'm being honest that you're ugly now...I...um-" He stutters as a bluch continues to grow across his face until Gwyn covers his mouth with her hand, before patting his shoulder, "You're making yourself look like a fool hun, shut up, we know what you mean." A slight smile crawls across her face and the mischievous glint flashes within her eyes once more before turning to me, "He is right though dear, you look like crap." He growls, "I did not say that!" before Gwyn's hand covers his mouth once more, her smile growing once again before her face becomes serious as she focuses back on me.
I shake my head, "No, I'm fine, honest, I just...umm...can't feel Impa anymore." I lie quickly, he doesn't seem to know that I'm Zelda, so it must have just been him messing with us, I take a few breathes to calm my heart and start working to control my breathing, color slowly returns to my face, "Is she alright?"
Link looks at me with sorrow in his eyes, "She is fine, you were right, she was the Sage for the Shadow Temple, but that means she is no longer technically part of this realm for you to sense her. She will return to guard her temple, but...you will not be able to contact her very often, if at all. I'm sorry Sheik. I know the two of you were close."
I nod, though I will miss her, it isn't as bad as he thinks it is because my reaction wasn't really about that. I turn to Gwyn and innocently tell her that we need to get dressed so we can go let the people know what all happened last night. Gwyn gives me a small knowing smile as Link coughs uncomfortably and explains that he already told them when they accosted him outside the house and he was forced to explain. Gwyn and I worked hard to contain our giggles and ultimately succeeded without letting our foreknowledge of that event slip. Link stands and exits the room to allow Gwyn and I to get ready for the day. We meet him once more in the main area of the house and sit down at the table to a breakfast he cooked while we were getting ready. Once we finished, we sat for a while and began planning on what to do next. Much easier than usual because this time, we only had one final place to go, the Spirit Temple that was set in the wild desert beyond the Gerudo Fortress. Gwyn and I explained our worries and the possible problems that could arise with our visit to the Fortress but Link brushed it off as no big deal, he knew the customs and the way the Gerudo saw outsiders, especially males, and knew from the start it might not be pleasant at some times.
We pack our things and leave the village after I grab a horse for Gwyn and I find Nightscream. Link calls Epona and we turn and head towards the entrance to the desert. We get halfway across Hyrule filed before the sun fully sets and we dismount to settle in for the night. Link has been making decent time with the Temples so we figured we could relax a little. Link once more moves to the edge of the campsite and settles into meditating while Gwyn and I work to set up a fire and dinner. After eating, we sit in silence for half an hour or so, watching the flames, thinking about the past, or the future. I can hear Navi whispering to Link off to the side, but not what she is saying, he whispers back every once in a while, but it seems to be mostly a one sided conversation, but he must be getting very embarrassed by what she is telling him is the blush on his cheeks is anything to go by, or he is soaking up all the color from the fire. Link coughs lightly before looking at me, "So…I know for a fact that you're a girl now, may I ask why you keep your face hidden all the time still?"
Gwyn and I tense slightly, he has been hitting around this area a lot recently, I probably won't be able to keep it a secret for too much longer…what can I tell him? I glance at Gwyn for a second before looking at him for a few moments and then decide to go with the closest thing to the truth I can for now, "Mostly habit I suppose, I have never taken my shawl off unless I was completely alone or in Impa's company. Gwyn has only seen my face once or twice and she has known I was a girl since we first met…It's not that I don't trust you, but…"
He motions with his hand for me to calm down in a soothing manner, "It's fine, I just wondered. Not that there is much for me to go off of, but if what I can't see of your face is anything like what I can see, you must be very beautiful." His head tilts slightly to the side, "Is that your natural eye color? It's stunning, not doubt, but…I just don't think I have ever seen eyes that color before."
I bow my head as a blush works over my face and down my neck, not that either of them could see, Gwyn's snickers from off to the side speak loud enough for me to know I won't be living this down for a while either. He stands after watching me for a moment, "I'll leave the pair of you alone for now, sorry for embarrassing you, but I've been meaning to mention it for a little while…but…"
Gwyn giggles loudly, "What, had to have Navi give you a pep talk before you could get up your courage? You sure she isn't the one who is supposed to be the bearer of the Triforce of Courage." She finishes with a playful wink at Navi, "What did you say to him girl? Come on, you can spill, you know it's how us girls do things." Lightly laughing at the blush that was once more rising on Link's cheeks.
Link and I were sitting opposite of each other on either sides of the fire, looking at the fire and avoiding each other's eyes like a disease while Gwyn made up the final point of our triangle shape. Navi smirks mischievously looking between Link and I before looking back over at Gwyn, "Not too much, he's been curious and talking about how beautiful you are and continuously wonder what Sheik looks like if she wasn't so, what were his words…'hidden away' I think was how he phrased it, though I don't think he was so much referring to the skin tight clothing as he was the covering of her face." A borderline evil smirk plastered onto her face as she watches the reactions coming from Link and myself, Gwyn's smile isn't much better. My eyes flash up to look at him as his head ducks lower, the blush definitely apparent now on his cheeks. I grimace slightly at his embarrassment, I know if Gwyn heard half the things I had thought of Link here recently and started repeating them back…I would absolutely die, I decide to try to help him out some without making it too obvious to Gwyn, "Well thank you for the encouragement, a girl likes to know a guy appreciates how she looks every now and then. Isn't that right Gwyn, That's the main reason you go to Castle Town right?" A small grin of my own coming across my face as I look at her.
Shocked at having the tables turned around on her from an unexpected speaker, she looks at me in shock for a few seconds before starting to laugh lightly and shaking her head, "Yes I suppose that is very true."
Link nods slightly before quickly standing and moving back to the area he stood before and began his motions in meditation, Gwyn and Navi deciding that was enough open jibes for the night turn to each other to continue a hushed discussion that from the few words I heard, was not what I wanted to get in to. The fire seems to slowly lose the amount of heat it had been giving off so I stand to keep the brisk air from locking up my muscles. I feel drawn towards the area Link is meditating and move near him, though I'm moving from the fire, the comforting warmth I associated with the fire seems to return some. As I get closer, it becomes almost suffocating, but in a way of warm sheet wrapping around you after you have been laying on a cold bed. I slip into meditation, enjoying the comfort of Link's presence, leaving my mind to wander about the strange feeling…
Gwyn joins us and begins her own meditation for a couple hours before going to lie down and sleep for the night. I follow an hour or two after her, my body feeling relaxed and my mind content. I lay down and watch as Link continues to move through his previous battles. The more I watch, the more it seems that he is dancing rather than walking through fights, his gracefulness has only increased since we started travelling, his reflexes and speed increasing as well as his strength. The final thought before sleep claimed me was that if he was truly Gerudo, he would be a great King for them, fair, kind, but willing to push you to be the very best you could be, and so much more than you could dream of. His spirit, drive, and passion freeing those around him to reach new levels that none had even considered.
The next morning we woke up and quickly gathered our things before mounting our horses once more and setting out for our destination. After some playful banter back and forth we end up in a race to see who can get to the Fortress first. Though I hate to admit it, Epona is in a league all her own as she easily leaves Gwyn and I in the dust. Ever so often, Link looks back at us laughing and then returns his attention to where Epona is going. This time, after looking back ahead, he throws his arms wide and lets out a whoop. Epona shortly after suddenly leaps into the air and Link gives a shout of surprise and quickly grabs back onto the reins. He looks back at why Epona jumped and yells back for us to stop after he and Epona had landed.
Gwyn and I reign in our horses, slowing them down gradually as we fully crest the hilltop and see that the bridge crossing the gorge is out. Gwyn and I look at each other in relief as our horses trot and then slow to a walk as we get to the edge and look down, that would not be a fun fall… "Good thing you gave us warning, I don't think Gwyn's horse could have made that, heck, my horse might not have even been able to make that," Nightscream gives an offended snort, "Don't take it personally, I didn't mean it, promise." I say to him softly as I stroke his neck in a soothing manner. Gwyn and I dismount and I grab her arm before teleporting the pair of us to the other side to meet back up with Link.
We continue on our path, walking through a large grouping of tents. As we come to the largest one, we see the boss of the carpenters, just standing in the middle of camp, looking to the horizon in the direction we were heading. We speak with him for a few moments and discover that his workers went to the Fortress but haven't returned, Link and Gwyn snort at that statement and I shake my head sadly. At least now we now that they weren't just acting stupid at Kakariko, they are simple that dumb all the time… He asks that we see if we can find them and send them back to camp. We agree and then continue on our way once more. We reach the entrance to the Fortress and stop, I look at Gwyn and nod, at her return nod we both turn to face Link with apologetic looks on our faces. "Link, we're sorry we have to do this, but understand that it was the best plan we could come up with…"
We both grab an arm and begin hauling him towards the entrance, our faces set in an emotionless mask. Gwyn begins yelling the common alert to the Gerudos, "Sisters, we have an intruder found on our lands, we need a place to hold him until we can get answers." The few Gerudos in the area quickly moved to our location. They looked at Gwyn for a few moments before recognizing her with the now short hair, and allowing their eyes to go wide. They look from her to Link and narrow their eyes dangerously as they take him in, sizing him up and determining how great a threat he is and then they turn their eyes to me. Though they relax some, they are still glaring at me dangerously until Gwyn explains that I am her Sister of the Blade at which they all back off and have a more respectful look in their eyes. It's easy to see that even though her hair is short, they respect Gwyn's fighting ability, most being on the receiving end of her blades and losing, for her to find an equal in dueling meant much to them. I smirk to myself, if only they knew that the guy between us, who they seemed to have mostly written off, was probably more than able to take on Gwyn and I together, and if not defeat us then come very close before we subdued him. The partially concealed smirk on Gwyn's face showed conveyed the shared feelings on the matter well enough.
We were lead to a holding pit where Link was forcefully pushed into the bottom of as Gwyn and I were lead back to the meeting area to speak with the elders of the Gerudo. The elders were the women who oversaw training, food provisions, and just everyday life within the Fortress in general. Gwyn requested a private council with one of the elders and I and was granted it. So far so good, not the part that has the most chance of messing everything up. Gwyn takes a deep breath before launching into an explanation of most of the things that had occurred since she and I became Sisters of the Blade. She explained the feelings she had around Link, how they were what had been described to her as the feeling of being around King for any extended period of time. She explained his unnatural knowledge in all things pertaining to the Gerudo and their traditions and history. Taking another deep breath she finally says the thing that she was most worried about speaking, "I believe that Ganondorf is a false King, that he is living longer than he should be through dark spells and unholy rituals and that this intruder is true King."
While in preparation for this moment, Gwyn explained why she feared this statement so much, in essence, she could be charged with treason for trying to overthrow King and be killed on the spot. The entire backstory and explanation of the feelings she had around Link and the expressed knowledge that should not have been accessible would be the only thing to stay the elder's hand from a quick death. Treason was not taken lightly with the Gerudo. The fact that her hair was short on top of all these other things did not help her case as she was seen to have little to no honor with her hair that short.
The elder sat back in her chair with a deep inhale and slow exhale of breath looking intently at Gwyn. Most gazes do not bother me, but the look fixated upon Gwyn and myself was nigh unsettling. The elder steeped her fingers, bowing her head forward with her eyes closed before looking at us once more, "We will test him." She says finally and with a firm voice that did not match the frail look to her skin and body, many things were likely hidden under that image of weakness, strength of limb and mind not being the only things. "But, know this, if he should fail, you will die as he does. I will tell my sister elders and we will convene in secret to administer the test. Go prepare him, we will send one of your sisters to collect the three of you."
We were escorted from the room and back to the holding area Link had been placed in. They dropped a rope ladder down from the platform so that we could enter the pit in an easier manner. Link sat on the floor in the middle of the pit, drawing interesting shapes, creatures and such. We sat on either side of him and explained what happened and what was said as he continued to draw. As we finished, he pulled the stick he had been using to draw with from the floor and looked towards the opening we had entered from, "Sounds like I had better pass this test then doesn't it?"
I turned to Gwyn, "Do you have any idea what test they will use?"
Gwyn shakes her head, "Not for sure, I only know of one test but I doubt they will give it to him, usually the test is just asking questions that no one except King is supposed to know, but…"
Link stands and moves away from us a small distance, "That won't be the test the use…the one they use hasn't been used for…many, many millennia…" With a thoughtful look on his face, he begins to mutter softly to himself after stating that but neither Gwyn nor I could hear what he was saying. I glance at Gwyn with a slightly fearful look on my face, her face mirrors it as she has no idea what the test could possibly be, but with how harshly treason is treated within the Gerudo, it would be easy to expect the test to prove it would be just as harsh. The only calming fact is that Link doesn't look worried, only thoughtful.
After a couple moments of Link's continued mutterings and our continued silence, Gwyn asks what the test involves but Link doesn't seem to hear her. I move over and place my hand on his shoulder, repeating the question. He looks at me for a few beats and begins to open his mouth but is interrupted as one of the Gerudos come to the entrance to the pit unrolls the ladder down to us.
"The elders will see you now."
