It was a fair trek southwest. They took it a little slow for the horses, since it was a long journey, and as always, Zelda and Malon were having trouble cooperating. As they went through the rocky canyons, they started to ride on sand as the desert started rather abruptly. Luckily Zelda had brought elixirs for the two of them, but the horses weren't so lucky. She tried getting Malon to drink the deep blue fluid, but she wanted nothing to do with it. At least Epona tried a little from Link and didn't seem to mind it. So she fared much better than Malon who was ready to throw Zelda off his back by the time they finally neared a small oasis.

Once at the small spring, the two horses drank and drank and drank at the small pond while Zelda purchased some more elixirs, and Link secured some hay for the horses.

"I like this small bazaar here," Zelda said handing Link another elixir to keep in his pouch of holding. The spring is certainly beautiful, and there are a number of traders here for any need." She looked at the shimmering water that rippled from the horses thirsty lips. "What a funny rock," she said looking across the spring where a large rock jutted out from the earth and sat top heavy with some clothes lines strung up on it. She took the Sheikah slate from her hip and captured the likeness of the spring and the rock. Link was just as amazed as always by the Sheikah Slate. She put it back on her hip.

"Well," she said with a breath. "I shall make my way to Gerudo Town proper, but you will have to stay here. The city doesn't allow any 'voe' within its walls." She turned at him and frowned. "Don't give me that look. There's nothing for me to do but follow the rules. And you wouldn't want to break any rules, would you."

He blinked in confusion. While, yes, he was unhappy about not being at her side, but he didn't think it showed in her face.

"I will return here in the evening once I've finished my work with Urbosa. Understood?" She put a hand on her hip and looked at him.

He nodded, giving up.

"Good. And I am going to leave our mounts in your care. I do not think Malon will ever let me ride him again if I push him through the desert right now. It shall be a fair length walk to the city, but not too terrible I think, not with an elixir to keep me cool. And because it is through desert, there will be no places for foes to try and ambush me, since I see and understand your concern in me walking alone," she went on, still somehow reading Link's face. "I have also taken care of our rooms, so you don't have to concern yourself with that. And if you could see about rising the horses off, I'm sure they would appreciate that." She stretched her shoulders and took a breath. "So I shall see you this evening."

He nodded once more.

She turned and made her way into the desert.

Link wasn't happy about the arrangement, but rules of the land unfortunately kept him from the King's rules at this point. So he tried to occupy himself with the horses. He took care of their tack and wiped off what sweat he could. And while they ate some hay in the shade, he found a bucket and started pouring cool water on them. The two greatly appreciated it as they both nuzzled him when his rinsed their heads.

Just as the sun was setting, after he had properly tied up the horses, someone came to him with a letter apparently from Urbosa.

"Hey knight, come to Vah Naboris on the opposite side of Gerudo. Your Princess is here waiting for you." It was signed with Urbosa's name.

He read the note and worried for Zelda's condition. He stuffed it in his bag and immediately started for the town.

"Whoa, hold on there, voe," an older Gerudo woman said. "First of all, you can't charge into a desert night like that. It gets plenty cold out there. And two, I'm not sure where you're headed in such a hurry, but I think I can help. Ever hear of a sand seal?" she asked with a smile.

And the next thing Link knew was that he was paying to rent a massive, brown seal and tying himself to it after drinking a spicy elixir to fight off the freezing night air.

"It's all in the hips. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it," she assured after he immediately face planted into the sand. "Be sure to lean back when you start off. Prevents the shield from just digging into the sand."

He had tried surfing on a shield down a snowy hill once or twice with some success, but being pulled from the waist while was different. After spitting out some sand and shaking out his hair, he stood on the shield once more. With a "ha!" the seal took off once again.

This time he leaned back on the shield, keeping the front in the just above the sand. And somehow he didn't face plant again.

"There you go!" the Gerudo called from a distance. "Good luck, voe!"

And so Link was off into the cool night air of the desert being pulled by a massive seal. It swam through the sand somehow without displacing it.

He did still trip up two or three times, but the seal always waited patiently for him to get situated before swimming off again.

It wasn't long before he came to the massive stone camel known as Naboris. It stood tall in sand and glowed softly. Link made his way up the Beast and found Ubrosa and Zelda on one of the upper decks. The two were sitting on a woven blanket with some pillows. Zelda sat leaned into Urbosa's shoulder.

Slowly he approached them.

"Ah, well…" Urbosa said turning her head to look at him. "You certainly got here fast. I should have expected as much from the Princess's appointed knight." She looked down at Zelda who was clearly asleep. "She was out on a survey all day today. Still as the sands now," she said looking at her. She then looked to Link with a sharp look. "So…? Spill it boy. Have the two of you been getting along alright?"

Link tried to think about how to respond, but she chuckled before he had time.

"It's okay, I know. Your silence speaks volumes."

He wondered what that meant.

"She gets frustrated every time she looks up and sees you carrying that sword on your back." Her eyes trailed to the Princess again. "It makes her feel like a failure when it comes to her own destiny. Don't worry. It's not like you carry blame in any of this."

He still shifted and swallowed hard, still feeling guilty.

"It's unfortunate. She's put in more than enough time. Ever since she was a young girl, she's gone through rigorous daily routines to show her dedication…. She once passed out in the freezing waters trying to access this sealing power. And she has nothing to show for it…. That's the motivation driving her research. I'd be doing the same thing. She really is quite special." Gently she brushed a lock of hair from Zelda's face, tucking it behind her ear. "You be sure to protect her with your life." She looked at Link with a sharp but promising look. "It's quite the honor." She looked out to the night and Link followed her gaze. "The night brings a chill…. It's probably time we take her in. Hmm. Or…." She looked to a funny shaped helm sitting at her feet. She raised her hand and snapped her fingers. A loud strike of lightning erupted in the desert. Zelda jolted awake and looked around frantically and Link nearly lost his footing he was started so bad.

"Urbosa! What was that?!" she called. "Did you feel that?" She sat up and looked back to see Link. "Wait, what—How did you—what are you doing here?"

Urbosa let out a joyous laugh, throwing her head back.

"W-what's so funny?"

She managed to stifle her laugh. "It's nothing to worry about, dear." She stood, taking the thunder helm with her. "We should get inside. Don't want you to freeze out here."

"What about Link? I wouldn't like to send him out in the desert so late," she said glancing at him.

"No, don't worry," Urbosa said. "Although I'm sure he could handle himself with any monsters or rogues raving in the nighttime, no, he'll stay in the palace. I have an entrance outback. No one will be aware of his presence other than a guard or two, and they'll certainly not oppose me. How does that sound?" She looked to Link.

He nodded, liking that he'd not be leaving Zelda here or taking her across the freezing and dark desert.

Urbosa lead the two of down from Naboris and through the sands towards Gerudo Town. Zelda asked why Link had come and Urbosa explained that she didn't want her to make the trip across the desert while so exhausted, so she sent a message to Link so he could remain at her side just as a loyal knight should.

And just as Urbosa said, Link was allowed into the palace after the guard promised not to tell a soul. Some of the guards helped get Zelda to bed and then brought Link to the small room next to hers. One guard sort of stared at him, as if trying to examine his whole physique. He wasn't sure if she was more interested in him being a voe or Hylian. But he didn't linger long, and soon found himself fast asleep in bed.

The following morning he was awoken by Urbosa's strong voice telling him to get up.

"Here's a little gift from the people of Gerudo," she said with a smile, dropping onto his chest what looked to be clothes. "I'm sure your Princess would like to actually see some of Gerudo before leaving, so you'll want to wear these." She then strode out of the room, confidence in every step.

Rubbing his eyes against the morning light, he picked up the bundle of clothes and examined them. They were lightweight and baggy it seemed. There was even some kind of veil.

Only after Link put them on did he realize their purpose. With the top that exposed his tight belly, baggy pants, and a veil to cover his mouth and nose, he looked quite feminine. He actually quite enjoyed how he looked in the new clothes, taking time to check himself over and fix his hair before stepping out into the halls. He found Zelda in her room having just dressed and now eating some slices of hydromelon.

"Oh hello, do you know if my companion has woken yet?" she asked only glancing at him. With a slice of melon in one hand and the Sheikah slate in the other, she paced across the room. "He greatly enjoys sleeping his whole day away, but I would like to get moving. I might take some time in the market first, but if he wakes and I'm missing, I know he'll follow me into the market, and we certainly can't have that…" she went on.

Link watched her, slightly amused.

She paused after noticing how closely she was being watched. "Wait… are you…?" She turned to him and met his eyes then saw the Master Sword on his back. "Oh Link! I didn't recognize you!" she called. "Apologies, you do make for a beautiful young vai," she chuckled lightly.

He couldn't help but actually blush a little.

She smiled warmly. "Should have put you in women's clothing long ago." She then sighed. "But I do suppose this means you're able to follow me into town…. Alright, that's fine I suppose," she said with a deep breath. "I do not expect to take too long. It is a fair ride back to the castle, and we need to return to Kara Kara Bazaar first for out mounts…." She went on, back to talking to herself. She went on about their route home, what she wanted to see in town, about talking with Urbosa, and perhaps stopping by Naboris one more time.

Link listened attentively and went with her into town.