Time for Chapter 48, sorry these are taking so long, but I hope this one is worth it, as Link's time is finally here!
"Wake uuup..."
"Uuugh..." Link groaned in his sleep, he rolled around a bit, as someone was tickling his cheek, and he felt a cold, frigid sensation that was making him beg for some warmth from Nemisa who was sleeping beside him. He rolled in one direction and felt some soft feathers that he nuzzled his face into, not even certain what they were, but just happy for some warmth.
"Wake up my beloved husbaaand..." Korume said in a low but playful tone, bending down over Link, waving her finger up and down as she gently blew icy mist on him, "Its time for your big daaay...!"
"Big... day...?" Link muttered, opening his eyes slowly in a half asleep gaze.
Nemisa meanwhile stirred awake and slowly opened her eyes, "Just what the hell are you talking about Korume...?"
It was then Nemisa's eyes widened as she realized what day it was.
"Oh crap!" Nemisa exclaimed with realization, shaking her husband-to-be awake, "Link, we slept in too long!"
"Gack! What time is it?!" exclaimed Link as he came to his senses.
Nemisa jolted up from their bed and ran over to the nearby Gossip Stone in Link's bedroom, punching it to made it tell the time.
"It's past nine o' clock, it's supposed to start in just half an hour from now!" Nemisa exclaimed, gathering up her clothes and jewelry.
"Why didn't anyone wake us up?!" Link shouted to Korume.
"We sent Aviel to tell you and- oh right, Aviel." Korume realized, looking down at Link's bed of pillows to see the bird-winged girl laying back on them sleeping, with a bubble rising up from her nose and a bit of drool hanging out of her mouth. At some point her arms had turned into wings due to her Roc's Wing treasure's power, which Link had been sleeping against just a second ago.
"I gotta get ready to greet everyone, has anyone seen my pants?!" Link asked frantically.
"You're wearing your pants, moron!" Nemisa exclaimed in frustration.
"Kukuku... it will be fine, just meet with the servants Link, they've already prepared your wardrobe for you." Korume explained, giggling at the two of them flying off the handle.
"Okay Link, you go have the servants dress you, and make it snappy!" Nemisa said, hopping on one foot as she was changing into shoes.
"Ugh, can I just dress myself?" Link asked rolling his eyes, "Those servants of ours keep trying to grope me when my guard is down."
"Remember last time you tried on some fancier clothing to impress Ambassador Oton of the Zoras during his last visit?" Nemisa pointed out, "You couldn't figure out how to put on the vest and shirt, and you just came out of the room shirtless! The girls will show you what you need to do."
"But-"
Link was cut off by Nemisa taking his arm and starting to drag him off.
"No buts dear, just move it so we can get this over with!" she scolded.
"Alright alright!" Link sighed, rolling his eyes and yanking his arm away, "I can walk myself Nemisa, I'll see you at the entrance."
As Nemisa nodded and went off on her way, Link then turned to see Korume seemed to be trying to get Aviel up herself, bending down over the bird girl and blowing cold air on her, causing her to shiver.
"Korume, quit teasing Aviel and get her up!" Link said as he rushed out the door. Link was too distracted with talking to Korume that he banged into the door frame, prompting Nemisa to come back, grab him by his arm and yank him off once again
"Fine, fine." Korume said, taking Aviel by her shoulder and shaking her, "Get up already, little birdbrain."
It was then in that moment, as Aviel was shaking from the cold feeling Korume had been giving her using her ice magic, the ice mystic gasped out. Korume saw faint tears in Aviel's eyes, as she spoke out in her sleep.
"Ooohhh... it's so cold..." Aviel muttered in an upset tone, "Can you please keep me warm again... Grandpa...?"
Korume's eyes widened at those words, as she nor anyone never really knew about Aviel's grandparents, or parents for that matter. It left Korume curious about just what she had gone through in her life... she wanted to inquire more about it, but remembered there were more important matters that day, and quickly came up with a new plan to get the girl awake.
"Aviel wake up, there's a ghost in your shoes!" Korume exclaimed.
"Kyyyaaa!" screamed Aviel immediately, suddenly shooting up into the air, then keeping herself in midair with her wings, before realizing what was going on. "Huh...? Hey! Don't do that to me Korume!" Aviel squawked in anger.
"Come on then you sleepy-headed birdbrain, your king is about to meet with the people." Korume said, pulling out her broom and getting on it to fly out of the balcony window as a shortcut to the palace entrance.
"Oh right!" Aviel remembering what she had gone into the bedroom to begin with, as she followed after Korume.
"There you go, your highness! You're looking quite dashing now!"
"Yes, much better then that ragged vest and pants you wore before."'
"I... actually liked hat outfit, but t-thanks." said a nervous Link as he looked himself in the mirror before him.
As soon as Nemisa escorted him over to meet the two servants, they got to work dressing him up for his big day, and they had been quick and efficient with their work to get him ready in due time.
Link's new wardrobe was the one Princess Ruto had commissioned for him during the Desert Goddess Festival some months back. It had been completed long ago, but Nabooru deliberately held onto it to preserve it for this day, only giving it to the servants to dress Link up in that very morning.
The top was a black sleeved vest, decorated with green and gold Gerudo symbols and markings lining the edges and sleeves. The sleeves themselves went down about halfway, and instead there were wrappings around his forearms. It appeared there was no way to close the vest, and it showed off his defined chest. There was a red belt sash around his waist holding his pants up, and the pants themselves were black and lined with various Gerudo symbols in gold stitching. The pants went down to just about halfway down his shins, and instead his shins were covered by gold bands which kind of reminded Link of Nemisa's steel bands that she used for defense, though these seemed to have been made purely for decoration. Also rather then boots, he wore simple black shoes with thin red lining on the sides.
As looked at himself in the mirror, he also couldn't help but notice how he had changed in more then just clothing style. Maybe it was because it happened so slowly overtime he never saw it before, but he was physically different as well. His skin had gone from white to a healthy tan, and his boyish blonde hair had been bleached by the desert sun making it lighter in color. He also noticed his body was more muscular then before from all the training he had been doing each morning of the day, he wasn't anywhere near Reirousa's level of muscle, but he was definitely stronger and it showed.
It seemed the servants had take keen notice of it too, as one came up to his left and put an arm around his shoulder, placing one hand on his chest and rubbing it slowly with her finger, while the other slowly rubbed her hand across his more defined abs, and leaning her lips towards his pointy ear as she spoke.
"My, my, aren't we a handsome young king...?" she whispered in a seductive tone.
"Yes, after working so hard to get these clothes on you, we're honestly resisting the urge to rip them off of you so we can have our way with you, King Link..." said the other with a giggle.
"Ah heh heh..." Link laughed somewhat nervously, "Yeah, now's really not the time for that... I gotta do that, uh... thing I have to attend to."
"So is that an invitation for later?!" asked one of them excitedly, "Okay, we'll meet you tonight to help you change out of your outfit!"
"Yes, and a good luck with your meeting with the people, your highness!" said the other.
Before Link could say anything else to clarify what he meant, the two servants went running out giggling up a storm, one of them already talking to her friend about a name she wanted to give her future daughter.
'Well that came out wrong.' Link thought to himself, letting out a sigh as he went off on his way.
"So... uh, how do I look girls?"
When he arrived in the dining room where everyone was gathered, Link's voice got the attention of Nabooru, Aviel, Nemisa, Saria, Togau, Sarami, Reirousa, Kesuta, Korume and Princess Ruto, who all looked in shock at Link standing before him in his new attire the servants had just dressed him in.
"Woooow!" Aviel said with wide sparkly eyes, "Look at you! You're just like a real Gerudo king now Link!"
"V-Very nice my love." Nemisa said looking away, though blushing brightly at the sight of how well the outfit showed off Link's physique.
"It looks great on you Link!" Saria said, staring at Link's new look with wide eyes. Her face flushed at the sight of how much he had changed over the past year. She then glanced down at her own self. Her own skin was starting to tan as well from the sun, thanks to the somewhat skimpy outfit she wore now. As embarrassing as it was more her initially, she had gotten used to dressing like that, and the people had taken to her better then she could have ever imagined.
'I suppose in a lot of ways I've changed too...' Saria thought to herself.
"Hot damn, that's a good look for ya lover-boy!" Togau said grinning, going right up and holding him tightly, "Hey, his material feels real nice and silky! Ya did good pickin' this wardrobe out, Ruto!" she called out, running her hands on it.
"Well, it's not exactly as I originally thought it would turn out..." Ruto said, herself currently donning her light blue Gerudo outfit for the event that day. Looking Link up and down she sported a mischievous grin. "But I have to say I like what I'm seeing..."
"One of the servants mentioned the seamstress was suddenly hit by inspiration while she was making it." Link said, reaching up and stroking the material of the top, "I thought black clothing would be a bad idea in this hot weather, but I feel pretty good and comfortable in it."
"Ya look pretty good too! Yer more of a man then ever!" Reirousa grinned widely, pumping her fist, "If ya want I can put you through some tough weight raining so you can get ripped with muscle and really show a tough bod off to everyone! We can start with my five-hundred pound beginner's weights!"
"Five-hundred is for beginners?!" Nemisa exclaimed.
"Ah, thanks Reirousa... but I think I'm fine as is." Link said sweatdropping. He took a look over Reirousa's heavily muscular frame, that as attractive as he found her, he himself preferred to stay lean over bulky.
"Hmm... I just wanted to ask, but have you ever thought of growing a beard to go with that manly look, husband?" Kesuta asked, looking him over with hungry eyes.
"Eeehhh, I've never been good at growing facial hair, never really wanted to anyway." Link said defensively.
"That's fine by me, I prefer your cute boyish looks..." Korume said, "Besides, even if you did Kesuta would probably burn it off anyway with the fiery way she kisses you, kukuku..."
"Hey!"
Nabooru meanwhile just stood there, and frankly she was at a loss for words. She had seen the outfit herself before when it was delivered to the palace, but seeing it on Link now, her mouth was slightly agape at how much of a transformation Link had gone through over the past year. Maybe she was just noticing him more now after he confessed to her back at the Hall of Knowledge, but she had trouble taking her eyes off him...
"He looks great, doesn't he Nabs?" Sarami whispered to her friend, smiling lightly.
"I, um... y-yes... he does..." Nabooru admitted, gulping a little as she saw the girls all crowd around Link to look over his new attire. Link was just standing there with a blank look on his face and with his arms out in a 'T' pose while the girls were all fondling or examining him. Aviel was rubbing the material between her fingers, Ruto was running her finger along his ear, while Reirousa carefully examined the abs in his arm.
"...great enough to make him your dear husband perhaps...?" Sarami added, "You look like you can't take your eyes off of him..."
"T-That..." Nabooru stammered, before she shook her head to clear her thoughts. She then rolled her eyes and retorted back to Sarami, trying desperately to change the subject from herself, "Oh please, like you're one to talk. You're practically undressing him with your own eyes!"
"Fu-fu-fufufu... I suppose I am, but I'm liking what I'm seeing..." Sarami giggled.
"So what do you think Nabooru?" Link spoke out to his old friend.
Nabooru coughed a bit, regaining her senses, before she got herself up and walked over to Link. The other girls stepped away from him as she took a moment to look him up and down, before giving a gentle smirk and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You look magnificent Link, like a true king of our people. So are you prepared to meet everyone?"
"Yeah Nabooru." Link nodded to his friend, "I'm sorry it took so long, but I'm finally ready for this."
"...and so it is with this, I crown you, Gerudo King Link. By the name of our goddess Aifet, may you live a long and healthy life, have many healthy daughters, and lead our people to the prosperity we seek, and hold for years to come." Nabooru said, placing a man's tiara on Link's forehead as he knelt before her. It was a shining gold design and had a small but brilliant green jewel on the center of it.
Link took a breath and stood up from his kneeling position, looking out at the cheering crowd of Gerudo before him. He had just been officially coordinated as king by Nabooru, and standing alongside him was his fiances; Nemisa, Ruto, Togau, Kesuta and Korume, as well as his other good friends Saria, Aviel, Dr. Sarami, and Reirousa.
He took that moment to see all that was before him, the town they had all worked so hard to put together, and the people that had come together over the past eight years through Nabooru's leadership skills, and he felt in that moment he had no regrets with the choice he had made; he was proud to stand as their new king.
"Thanks everyone for coming here, and for accepting me as your new king!" Link shouted, waving his hand.
The crowd's cheering soon called down, and Link continued to speak.
"First of all, I just want to say that while I am your king now, I don't want any of you treating me any differently then before. If you want to, you can continue to just call 'Link'. I don't want to stand over you all like a emperor or god or anything like that, but to walk among you all as equals!"
While Link used to think for the longest time that he needed to maintain a level of sophistication and professionalism as royalty, Nabooru was right about it not being as important as he thought as far as the Gerudo were concerned, and so he found it better just being himself.
"Can I call you 'husband' instead?!" called out one girl in the crowd, earning some small cheers from her friends around her.
"Or how about just ''my baby's papa'?!" asked another with a suggestive tone, earning much laughter and applause from the crowd as well.
"Quit with the jokes!" Nemisa shouted at the crowd in annoyance.
"Ah heh heh..." Link chuckled a bit nervously, almost forgetting what he was originally going to say next before speaking up again, "Um... so secondly, I'm going to do whatever I can to follow through on my promise to you all, and make ourselves heard to the Hylian Parliament so that we can get rid of the banishment law and allow you the freedom you deserve!"
"Yes," Ruto stepped up and spoke out, "As princess of the Zora, we'll be meeting with my father soon to negotiate an alliance with you all, and help towards your goals of abolishing that dreadful law." she put a hand to her chin and laughed out haughtily, "Consider it a gift to you all for accepting an illustrious one such as me to your town!"
Saria paused for a second, before stepping up herself and speaking out, "And as a member of the Kokiri folk, I'd also like to say I'm going to speak to my own people about forming an alliance with you and the Zoras as well. We Kokiri have lived our lives in isolation for centuries, but I think it's time we get out into the world and become a true part of Hyrule as well, and I'll be supporting you all as the Kokiri's diplomat!"
The crowd continued to shout out with cheers for Ruto's stance and affectionate 'awws' at Saria's. Link himself admired both of their drive to not just improve the lives of the Gerudo, but the Zora and Kokiri as well. He recalled a time when he once saw them in the dark future, and a heavy responsibility that was put on both of them... But seeing the zora princess and kokiri girl now, they were looking to have a much better future and making a real impact on Hyrule.
Nabooru meanwhile just watched Link, Ruto and Saria speak out to the cheering crowd with a small, though somewhat sad smile on her face. She closed her eyes and started to step away out of sight of everyone, feeling at that moment her job as the Gerudo leader was just about done...
But it was then she felt Link grab Nabooru by her hand and pull her up to his side, surprising her.
"Finally, I'd just like to say that while I may be the official king as of now, Nabooru won't be stepping down from her current position, as I've decided to declare her the Head Lady of the Gerudo, and she will still carry her influence and rank among the town!" Link stated, "The two of us are going to work together to make our people prosper!"
The crowd cheered out even louder then before at this news, as Nabooru looked to Link with a bit of surprise. It seemed despite her initial plans, Link had other ideas in mind as he stood tall and proudly. It seemed he really did take what she said before in the Hall of Knowledge to heart, and wanted her to continue to be respected and loved by the people as their leader for years to come...
'You're just full of surprises, aren't you Link...?' Nabooru thought to herself with a modest chuckle.
"So does this mean she's going to be your Grand Queen then King Link?!" a girl then shouted out from the crowd, causing a brief pause, before the people began to holler and cheer out in agreement.
"Wha-what?!" Nabooru exclaimed with a bright red face, "Wait, I don't think I-"
"Ehh... she's not really-" Link started, but was cut off.
"LONG LIVE KING LINK! LONG LIVE GRAND QUEEN NABOORU!" the crowd started to chant out.
Nabooru was just standing there bewildered at her people's support of their union. She slowly turned to Link narrowing her eyes, "I blame you for this."
"Ah heh heh..." Link sported a goofy grin as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
Meanwhile, Nabooru could hear some snickering from behind her back, as she looked to see Aviel, Nemisa, Ruto, Saria, the other girls, Sarami especially all smiling knowingly.
"Goddess Aifet give me strength..." Nabooru groaned in embarrassment, covering her face with her hand as the chanting and celebration continued.
After the king's coronation, Link and his friends all returned to the inside of the palace. The guards were quick to congratulate Link on becoming king, and Nabooru for apparently becoming his Grand Queen. Nabooru tried to protest this, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Since everyone had been so busy preparing for the coronation, none of the group had the time for breakfast, so they all came together in the dining room for a brunch meal. After a fine meal, Reirousa and Sarami both left to go back to their jobs at the war barracks and medical clinic respectively, while Nabooru, Saria, Aviel went off to discuss what Saria planned to do as their Kokiri diplomat.
Link was about to go out to find something to do, when he was stopped by his fiances, who were all eager to see him.
"Hey Link, there's somethin' we wanted to talk to you about." Togau spoke up.
"Oh?"
"We've talked together about our situation as your fiances the other day, and we've all agreed to hold out for a while longer on officially marrying you." Nemisa said firmly.
"Huh? Why's that?" Link asked raising an eyebrow in confusion, "Still picking out dresses or something?"
"Ya kidding? I still haven't gotten around ta shining mah boots yet!" Togau said, rubbing her head.
"For your wedding?" Ruto asked Togau in a baffled tone.
"Are you guys just uncertain about doing this?" Link asked worriedly.
"Oh don't get us wrong, my love. We love you so much and we can't wait for that special day..." Kesuta started.
"But it's precisely for it being so special that "I do" we can't so quickly say." Korume rhymed.
"Huh?"
"Yes, we've talked together and we know full well you haven't fully assembled your harem of wives." Ruto said with a knowing smirk, "We want make this wedding a truly special one, so we've decided to hold out until you've won over the other girls who have a place in your heart."
"Ah heh heh... so it was really obvious, huh?" Link grinned with a bit of embarrassment. He had to admit to himself there was a number of other girls that he had been considering over the time he had been in Geurdo Town, and his time spent in his position made him far more open about the idea, though thankfully, it seemed as though his fiances were all accepting of it.
"Course reckon!" Togau nodded with a cheeky grin, "We wanna be a big happy family, and we're all gonna marry ya at the same time, so everyone feels just as equal as the others!"
The other girls nodded, and Link was taken back by the thoughtfulness of them all, and it reminded him of what he spoke out about earlier of him wanting to just be equals with the people of the town, rather then standing over him. It felt like the girls all understood him and each other so well now, almost as if their thoughts in sync with each other.
"We're especially aware of your feelings for Lady Nabooru!" Kesuta grinned, "We're going to do anything we can to support you in having her join our royal family!"
"Yes, we'll see to it you win her heart..." Korume added with a low giggle, "Even if we have to forcefully tie her down and let you go at her until she submits to you..."
Everyone else just looked at Korume with slightly paled faces.
"W-Well anyway, thanks everyone for your encouragement." Link nodded, "But I'm going to try and win over Nabooru my own way, I don't think it would feel right if everyone pushed her into it."
"Heh, honestly I don't you don't have too work too hard to do it anyway." smirked Nemisa, "From what I've seen she seems to be noticed you far more then before, and I don't think she's going to be to just call you a good friend for long."
"Thanks girls..."
Link's face blushed as he contemplated that, but then Togau suddenly darted over and grabbed him around the arm.
"Well now that that's settled, how 'bout we all head out into town and show off our handsome king ta everyone?" she said grinning.
"Sounds fine, there was something I wanted to do while we're out anyway." Link said, thinking about one particular person he wanted to talk to.
"Ah, very good idea! I could do for some marketplace shopping myself!" Ruto said giggling.
"Ready to go, our loyal pack mule?" Kesuta asked Link with a teasing grin.
"Hee-haw." Link said sarcastically, as the girls all laughed and dragged him out the door.
Later that night, Nabooru was walking down the hallway of the palace after having just taken a bath. She rubbed her hair down with a towel as she walked, before resting the towel on her shoulders. She stopped to take a look out an open window and saw the town before her. The people were still very lively that night, celebrating the ushering in of their new king, a man they had grown to respect and love so much.
Nabooru couldn't help but give a small smile, looking out at the town she and her people created together. She could only hope that things would work out with Hylian Parliament, but knew she needed to work harder if she could hope to accomplish that.
She let out a heavy sigh thinking about that last part. After Link blurted out that she'd still be working as his co-leader, rather then just an assistant like she planned, it put her in an awkward spot. She knew she'd have to make actual appearances with Link during announcements and meetings with the people now, and she wasn't particularly keen on doing that sort of thing, especially now that everyone assumed she was his fiance and future Grand Queen.
"His grand queen... I should feel honored he would want to give me that position..." Nabooru whispered to herself, gazing up at the moon shining over the town. She looked longingly at it, as memories of her past drifted by, namely the man who still held her heart, and the bad dream she had just recently...
"But... do I really deserve that...?" she asked herself.
"Lady Nabooru?"
Nabooru was suddenly jolted out of her thoughts by a guard having approached her.
"Y-Yes, what is it?"
"King Link has requested your presence in your royal study." the guard said bowing to her.
Nabooru had a curious look in her eyes, wondering what Link was up to. Recalling what had happened last time he was in there, she hurriedly went over to her study to see what was going on.
Upon entering the study, she saw her new king Link, a pair of guards, and the most surprising of all, the Hylian bookworm Halei was there. Link was looking over Halei's shoulder as she was sitting at Nabooru's usual seat, and the girl was writing on some papers Nabooru had been putting off for a while.
"Oh, hey Nabooru!" Link waved his hand with a big grin.
"L-Lady Nabooru, I'm pleased to see you again!" Halei said with a blush on her cheeks, as she bowed her head to the Gerudo.
"What's... going on exactly?" Nabooru asked walking in, "What are you both doing here?"
"Well, considering how much hard work you do around here..." Link said, "I thought I'd find you a good assistant to help with your work. I decided Halei would be the best one for the job, and since I'm officially king now, I had the guards just let her out of prison to handle it."
"Really now...?" Nabooru asked curiously, she reached out to a completed paper and read it over.
"Yeah, see we've been talking some nights after she was imprisoned, and she's told me about paperwork she used to do for her employers back in her village and in Fargent. She's well read and has a head for numbers and figures, a heck of a lot better then I ever could." Link explained.
"...this... is really good work." Nabooru admitted with wide eyes as she looked over the papers, "And you're okay with doing this, sister Halei?"
"Yes, King Link was really insistent that I do this for you, so that you don't overwork yourself so much. He even offered me a good salary for it." Halei said with a small smile, "For what you've done for me by letting me live here, I'm quite happy to work for you!"
Nabooru paused in stunned silence, before letting out a laugh, "...well, I guess I can't defy the orders of my king, can I?" she smirked, "Okay then, I look forward to working with you in the future then, my new assistant."
"Thank you, I'll do my best Lady Nabooru!" Halei said, bowing her head and causing her bunny hood ears to flop.
Nabooru then turned to Link, who was sporting his goofy grin.
'So that's how devoted he is to that resolve as well...' Nabooru thought to herself, thinking about what he said after they had escaped the Hall of Knowledge. She then took a chair and sat down beside Halei to help her through some of the more complicated paperwork, giving her advice on certain documents. Link meanwhile just stood and watched, as he saw a bond starting to form between the mousy bookworm and his close friend.
With Halei's help, Nabooru was able to complete that night's work well ahead of time as well as catch up to everything she had put off days before, and as a result she had plenty of hours before bedtime. After Halei returned to her home, Nabooru and Link had taken to walking through the palace, chatting to each other about various things that had been going on over the past weeks, and well as fun small talk.
"I have to say, that was a good idea hiring Halei to help me, she's a natural." Nabooru brought up to Link, "You're a lot better at decision-making then you thought, your highness." she added with a wink.
"Well maybe, though I know I can't do everything." Link said, recalling the words Aviel once told him long ago, "That's why I still want to keep relying on you, Nabooru."
Nabooru glanced at Link and looked him over. The king's garb really suited him in her mind, it matched well with his lean physique, freshly tanned skin and bleached hair, but what stood out the most to her in particular was Link's gentle sapphire-blue eyes, which stayed the same no matter how much he changed.
It was then in that moment she felt a sense of worry, recalling what happened back at the Spirit Temple with Kesuta and Korume's sacrificial ritual, when Link snapped and his eyes turned that piercing angry white at Twinrova. It had been bothering her for quite some time about just what that was. She had consulted with the other girls and they mentioned it wasn't the first time he had done that, and it gave her a sense of unease...
'It's almost as if he was just like...' she thought to herself, but those thoughts were cast aside when Link spoke up.
"You okay there Nabooru?" Link asked, putting his hand on her shoulder, as he was looking to her with concern in his blue eyes.
Nabooru looked back to him and smiled lightly. It wasn't just his eyes that remained the same, but his caring attitude. The very nature she saw even back when he was just a small child, and what made her believe he had the potential to become the new Gerudo King.
It was then Nabooru reached up and took Link's hand off her shoulder, but holding it gently.
"Nabooru...?"
"I'm just fine my friend. Now come along Link, I got an idea of something we can do together tonight, just the two of us..." she spoke suggestively.
"Alright then..." Link said with a grin.
"Tell me, have you seen King Link and Lady Nabooru?" Nemisa asked a guard who was standing in front of the door to Link's bedroom, the martial arts woman was alongside Aviel and Saria.
"Yeah, we wanted them to go out with us for a midnight run of shaved ice!" Aviel said.
"My apologizes, but the king and Lady Nabooru are currently inside, attending to private matters together, and don't wish to be disturbed at the moment." the guard said.
"Ahh, private matters, eh?" Nemisa said with a knowing smirk, "Guess we'll just have to come back later."
"Oh phooey." Aviel said with a pout, "I wanted Link to try out the new Hydromelon flavor they came out with."
Giving up on getting Link and Nabooru to come, the three of them started to set out into town, and Saria spoke up to the two bodyguards of her friend.
"Link really gets into that whole love-making thing doesn't he?" Saria asked with her face blushed red, "It's like his time here's awakened a side of himself I never thought he had..."
"Hm, are you perhaps jealous, Saria?" Nemisa asked with a smirk.
"I-I..." Saria stammered, then shouted out, "T-that's not what I meant Nemisa!"
"I think you hit the nail on the head Nemisa, but then again, you'd know that since you used to be the same way!" teased Aviel.
"Oh quiet you." Nemisa quickly snapped, then continued with Saria, "Nabooru was the whole reason he came here to begin with, and she was the one took him for the first time. The two of them have an inseparable bond, you saw how devoted Link was to that during the coronation." chuckled Nemisa, patting the Kokiri girl on the shoulder "And I'm sure he feels the same way about you as well, Saria."
"Ah ha ha..." Saria laughed nervously, her face a bright red, "I really doubt he thinks that sort of way about me..."
"I bet you an extra bowl of shaved ice that he would love to take you into bed like he is with Lady Nabooru right now!" Aviel grinned.
"Yes, wouldn't you enjoy having his strong, bare body over you? As strong as he is, he's as gentle as a saint, and he'd make you feel pleasure in ways you couldn't imagine!" Nemisa spoke in a sensual voice.
"H-Hey! Quit talking like that!" Saria exclaimed, her face turning redder.
The two Gerudo just laughed as the three went left the palace for a fun night together on the town.
Meanwhile, in Link's bedroom...
"Ready for... another... round Link?" Nabooru gasped out.
"Yeah... just a sec..." Link panted, "You're... pretty merciless tonight..."
"I can do this... all night long." Nabooru grinned, "The question is, if you can keep up?"
"Bring it on." Link nodded.
"Alright, let me take the lead..." Nabooru said deeply.
With that, Nabooru then threw a rubber ball into the air and smacked it, sending flying into the wall and bouncing off the hard surface. It came right at Link, who quickly darted out and smacked the ball back against the wall, and Nabooru immediately hit it back as well.
The two were engaged in an game Nabooru and an old friend of hers used to play back when they were kids. She was quick to teach Link how to play, and challenge him to a lengthy competition of it that night.
As Link hit the ball another time, he paused to look to Nabooru who was smiling brightly as she quickly shifted to the side and barely hit the ball again, letting out a hearty and playful laugh at how close she came to missing it. He loved seeing that genuinely happy look on her face, and seeing her truly enjoying life. As much as he respected her work ethic, and the love-making between the two was wonderful, he felt the best times he spent with Nabooru was when they just forgot about their work and woes and just had fun like this.
'This is just what I wanted to see... not just from Ruto and Saria, but you as well.' Link thought to himself, too distracted by her beautiful smile to notice the ball fly at him and bean him upside the head, casing it to repel back and bounce back against the wall again.
"Ha ha ha! That was a different strategy!" Nabooru laughed out loud, smacking the ball once again as it came at her, "But you better keep your eyes on the prize Link!"
'I already am.' Link thought to himself, still looking at her, as he quickly turned to smack the ball against the wall again.
And that ends this arc! Thank you all for reading, and your support! Next time the group go to celebrate Link's coronation as king, only for Link to meet an old friend from his past, and learn more about the world that's been changing around him, as well as awaken a new change in himself...
As always. give a like, follow or comment if you choose to, as your encouragement is a huge motivation for me to continue!