As Nabooru followed the Gerudo down the fortress's halls to Elder Nimona's chambers, she noticed that the closer she got to the elder's room, the more agitated the other women walking down the corridors became. A few of the women were frowning and pretending to occupy themselves with their duties, but many of them were angry and stared at Nabooru as she passed by them.
"Does this have to do with the incident with the prisoners, sister?" Nabooru asked.
"Sort of, you need to talk to Elder Nimona about the problem," The Gerudo replied hastily, glancing back at her over her shoulder before looking back down the corridor. Nabooru frowned; it must be something truly bothersome if the girl did not wish to speak of it. Once they reached the heavy curtain that separated the elder's room with the corridor, the Gerudo gestured for Nabooru to enter. Nabooru smiled to the girl before pushing aside the embroidered curtain.
"Welcome, Nabooru," Elder Nimona murmured from her seat on a pile of rugs. Versa sat on a rug beside her, helping the elder Gerudo bandage Cedrin. The younger injured girl glanced sheepishly at Nabooru before glancing back at her arm. Versa, however, ignored Nabooru and kept her focus on the other girl.
"You called for me, elder?" Nabooru asked as she approached the elder and sat down beside her.
"Yes, I did. There seem to be some problems with the prisoners, or so I hear," The elder stated as she pulled out a small rolled bundle labeled with several characters from their ancestors. She opened the pack and revealed several rolls of dried herbs. After a quick scrutiny to make sure that they were the ones she needed, she took out a small mortar and pestle and began grinding the dried herbs into powder.
"There have been several incidents, that is true. One of the prisoners is attacking anyone that comes near him," Nabooru answered, glancing grimly towards Cedrin's wound before looking back to Elder Nimona. The elder Gerudo nodded before she carefully closed the pack and set it aside. She reached towards a nearby shelf and pulled down another pack and opened it. She plucked several dried crimson seeds and added them to the herb powder.
"Versa, fetch some water for me," Elder Nimona said, glancing at the other girl. Versa glanced up at the elder before standing up and rushing out of the room.
"The sister who was asking about punishing the prisoner came here to speak to me. She was very upset that the little sister was injured. However, the sister who had captured the man is having difficulties with her own self-judgment," Elder Nimona growled, glancing at Cedrin warningly. Cedrin smiled dryly and nodded, knowing that she was not to speak of what her elders were talking about.
"What is the problem?" Nabooru asked worriedly.
"She wants to perform the Desert-Moon on the prisoner," Elder Nimona stated dryly. Nabooru felt her breath catch at the back of her throat at the name.
"The Desert-Moon? That method is not permitted to anyone outside of our clan! That is only for sisters who commit…" Nabooru mumbled in shock, her voice trailing away in horror.
"Yes, so the decision has fallen on us. Our worried sister has isolated herself by the training grounds until our decision for the prisoner's punishment," The elder said. The curtains were shoved aside and Versa returned, carrying a small clay vase of water.
"Thank you, Versa. You can run along now. I know you're bored and want to practice your archery," Elder Nimona said as she took the vase. Versa turned red in embarrassment before mumbling a quick goodbye and scurrying out of the room. Elder Nimona chuckled at the girl's embarrassment as she stirred the water and powder into another clay bowl, which formed into a dark paste. Cedrin stared at the paste in astonishment and faint revulsion, but kept herself from saying anything about it as the older woman dunked her hands into the mess.
"Extend your arm," Elder Nimona stated, holding out a worn hand toward the girl. Cedrin grudgingly held out her oozing arm and let the elder hold her wrist, glaring at the bowl filled with the paste with annoyance. The older woman scooped out a handful of the paste and gently began applying it to the wound. Cedrin flinched as the paste was applied and her muscles tightened with pain.
"Stop that, this will make sure you don't get an infection," Elder Nimona scolded. Cedrin grimaced before relaxing her arm again.
"What is your opinion on the prisoner's punishment, then?" Elder Nimona asked as she continued to cover the wound with the dark-colored paste. Nabooru thought about it for a moment, questioning on what the other Gerudos would say and her own opinion on the matter. After a few moments of thought, she came to her decision.
"What's the big deal? It's just a little swim down to the bottom of the lake. Wait, can you even swim? I forgot that you lived at the ranch, you would not need to know how to swim," Navi complained as she circled over Malon's and Saria's heads.
"Of course I can swim, but that's not the point. That is not a little swim, it's suicide. It's at the bottom of the lake. There is no way to get down there without dying," Malon grumbled, glaring at the shore before returning her angry stare to the fairy perched on a nearby rock.
"Yes there is! Link went down there once!" The fairy yelled, her wings flapping in agitation and fury.
"How is that possible?" Malon retorted.
"Well, Link always put on the blue tunic of his before swimming and he would be just fine. Oh, wait, I guess that would have helped him avoid drowning…" Navi stated, her voice turning thoughtful as she remembered how Link had gotten down to the temple's entrance and the adventures inside the massive temple.
"I've seen that tunic before, it looks pretty much like his green tunic. How did it help him avoid drowning?" Malon asked worriedly.
"I don't know, the Zoras don't like revealing the secrets to their clothes. Maybe it's the embroidery…Wait! Why don't we ask the Zoras to help us get down there?" Navi said excitedly.
"They won't help us," Malon muttered.
"Why not? Their princess really likes Link. I mean, likes him so much that it's really scary. Let's talk to her right now! She will surely help us out. She wouldn't let Nabooru lay a hand on Link," Navi replied, her voice pompous with her faith in her decision.
"The thing is, the Zora Princess is currently at Hyrule Castle awaiting for Princess Zelda to decide her punishment," Malon muttered.
"Punishment, what did Princess Ruto do? It couldn't be that bad," Navi replied. Malon quickly explained to her about the incident where Ruto attempted to force a marriage on Link, which was stopped by Princess Zelda. Navi, for once, remained quiet through the whole long winding tale. That is, until Malon finished her explanation.
"Well, excuse me for not being informed. You should have told me about that! Now, I have to think of something else to do. Maybe we can buy that tunic…" Navi growled.
"How much is it?" Malon asked coolly, glaring at the fairy with the desire to pick up a rock and smash it down on the annoying creature.
"Three hundred rupees, or was it four hundred…" Navi said thoughtfully.
"Three hundred rupees, where did Link find the money to purchase that?" Malon exclaimed in astonishment. She had never had that much money in her life and she could barely imagine Link with such a large amount of rupees.
"No, he got it as a present from the Zora King," Navi yelled angrily.
"How about we just ask the Zoras to bring us down there?" Saria interrupted.
"That sounds like a good idea. Why didn't you think of an idea?" Navi growled at Malon. Malon scowled at the fairy before she grabbed the fairy.
"Ow! Let me go! That hurts!" The fairy complained as Malon stormed across the bridges to Epona. She opened a pouch on the saddle and shoved the fairy inside.
"No!" Navi screamed as Malon closed the pouch, tightening the strap around it to make sure it didn't become loose. Navi continued screaming, her shrill voice muffled from the thick leather. Epona glanced back at Malon nervously, her ears flickered back and eyes glowering.
"Sorry, Epona. But, I didn't want her following and pestering me. Can you manage to be around her for a little while?" Malon whispered. The horse butted her head against Malon's arm and started grazing.
"Why did you do that?" Malon turned to see Saria staring at the squirming screaming pouch.
"She'd annoy the Zoras. Let's go," Malon said before she started walking to the shore. Saria stared at the pouch before pulling out the pouch on her waist. She opened it and gently pulled out her sleeping fairy. Saria smiled before gently placing the sleeping fairy on her shoulder and turning to follow Malon.