Author's Note

Wow, running out of words to describe how surprised I am that this story has picked up so quickly. I thought I would've run out of steam eventually, but here we are with another one so soon.

Uploaded

06/14/2023

LEGEND BELOW

"O-Oh goodness, I'm so clumsy!" = Normal speech.

''Dont panic.'' = Normal thoughts.

Chapter 7

Recalling times long past

Rated-M

M rating for Romance, and things of explicit nature.

The night wound down shortly after Paya's confession about her troubled feelings. When Link was finally able to reassure her that she was truly special, that she was important and worth it, her tears slowed to a crawl and he was graced with a small yet genuine smile from the woman.

When her heart was calmed after reaching the tipping point, she found her hands eager to return to tending to the man before her. However, now something was different.

Before, her hands felt shaky, anxious, nervous. And yet, after expressing her fears and feelings to Link, she felt as if a great weight had been lifted off of her chest, and she could finally breathe for the first time in forever.

It also helped that he was so very patient with her, not once speaking up or cutting her short, but listening intently to what she had to say.

It…

It made her feel appreciated…

It made her feel loved, where before she felt as if that was missing.

That feeling he gave her when in her presence, alone behind closed doors…

She yearned to feel it again and again, greedy for him to tell her she was special, after having felt otherwise her entire life.

But, she knew she couldn't keep him for herself, even if she so selfishly wanted to. She knew he was a very busy man, with a fate far larger than her weighing down upon his shoulders. She just wished that she could continue to be of help to him, and potentially relieve some of that burden however she was capable of.

Eventually, though, it was time to settle in for the night.

She'd prepared her bed for him to use, with a makeshift bed for her on the ground.

She was fine with such a predicament, as she was the one that had decided on offering him her bed for the night. But, he didn't seem to enjoy the idea of forcing her to sleep on the ground while he stole her resting place for one night.

"We could share the bed for tonight, find more accommodations tomorrow?" He'd said so casually it made her heart skip a beat, knowing he said it out of genuine worry over her well-being over any other thought.

She didn't even consider the scandalous nature of such a request from him, and how others may perceive it at face value. For, she was too preoccupied with the fact that she had not even thought of the idea of sharing her bed. She was embarrassed that such a simple idea had not even crossed her mind in the days prior.

Nevertheless, she decided that his thinking was more logical than her own. It helped that her bed was large enough for two, even though she was the only one that ever slept in it.

After slipping out of her own room long enough for him to get dressed in his blue garb, she returned to find him sitting on the end of her bed, glancing longingly out from the open window.

She felt a new worry brewing beneath her breasts at his silent stoicism, wondering now, what could be occupying his mind so heavily. He didn't even seem to notice her walk up behind him, tentatively taking a seat beside him on the bed.

He didn't say anything, too absorbed in thought to take notice of her immediate presence beside him. That carefully crafted look of calmness she'd come to associate with him in her head was replaced with a cold stoic one that only served to worry her even more.

Whatever it was that was plaguing his mind must've been heavy.

Gently, after working up the courage to do so, she reached out and placed her hand on his thigh to gain his attention. "M-Master Link…? What's wrong? I-Is something troubling you?" She asked quietly, eyes sparkling with worry.

He was snapped out of his thoughts, turning to face her with that gentle smile again.

This time, she noticed, it looked just a little forced…

"Oh, I'm alright Paya. I was just lost in thought, that's all." He responded softly, trying to placate her worries.

However, the fact that he was trying to avoid the subject for her sake, made her both happy and worried at the same time.

He didn't wish to worry her, deciding to bear the brunt of his burdens on his own shoulders.

"What w-were you thinking about?" She asked anyway, softly prodding him for an explanation. "You're worrying m-me…" She admitted quietly.

His eyes widened slightly, seeing as she wasn't going to let it go, before he sighed softly. He turned his gaze back out the window, finding himself lost in the stars above.

"I'm still coming to terms with what I must do. I have to stop this Calamity myself, but even then, there's so much I must accomplish before I do, I cannot focus on just that alone." He explained, shoulders tense. "I've been told that Hateno is one of the last large settlements remaining, that it is safe from the Calamity and monsters… And yet, that is no longer the case."

He went on to explain what had happened, that monsters had begun moving in beyond Fort Hateno. And more than that, there was few if any within the village that could defend themselves should a large group of them decide it time to attack. The village had no walls, it's only protection being it's distance from the rest of the kingdom, and it's long clear sight lines that would allow the people living there to see the monsters before they were caught off guard.

He told her about what he witnessed upon approaching the village, the terrible fate that awaited two young women, a fate they had partially experienced moments before he arrived to put an end to their tormentors.

If he had not approached when he had, if he had not decided to travel through the night and reach the town as soon as possible…

"O-O-Oh Goddesses… I-I didn't know…" Paya gasped in horror, before clapping her hands over her mouth, lest she awaken her grandmother.

Link's gaze hardened as he stared at the stars, mind recalling to what happened. "Kakariko is safe here. You have tall mountainous walls and men trained in the arts of war to defend you. But Hateno does not. They have children and pregnant mothers who all live with no protection to their name. If the monsters become overconfident, I'm afraid that they will make a move while I am not there to protect them."

That was what worried him, but so much more was weighing on his mind as well, too much to speak all at once.

"And what about the other villages? What about the other tribes and people that still live in this land? Are they without protection as well, or do they manage to survive just fine? Impa told me the Devine Beasts have begun acting out of control in recent times, and are threatening to overwhelm the lands they dwell in…"

He could've continued on about what troubled him so greatly, but he didn't see the need. He shook his head, turning back to her. "There's so much to do, I just don't know who to help first. That's all, I'm sorry for worrying you." He said decidedly, falling back to lay on the bed, hands up behind his head.

Paya had listened quietly as he went on to express his thoughts and feelings, as he had done for her previously. If it was one thing she could be for him, it was an eager and attentive listener. Her hand never left its place on his thigh, as if offering that subtle gesture that she was there to care for him.

She turned her gaze out the window, dwelling on what he'd told her. He was feeling overwhelmed by his duty, and the many difficulties set before him. If she has some way to alleviate that burden, then…

Then she'd do it in a heartbeat…

She knew he was deeply troubled by his fate, and the weight it placed upon his shoulders made his body tense with stress. She wanted him to relax…

He needed a moment of peace in this world he'd awoken to, even if he didn't think himself worthy of something just yet.

Her eyes widened slightly as something came to her, and she stood up. Link glanced up as the bed shifted, watching her curiously as she walked around the room to procure something from a drawer. Once she found what she was looking for, she went back to the bed, climbing atop it behind where he was laying.

"C-Can you sit up, j-just for a moment?" She asked shyly. He blinked in question, but did what was asked of him. He felt the bed shift behind him as her weight made it sink slightly. He heard her position herself in some way behind him, before she sighed happily. "O-Okay, lay b-back down." She asked after a moment.

Again, doing as what was asked of him, he found his head nestled comfortably within her lap, cushioned by her thighs. He looked up in quiet confusion, face warming as he had to look past the shadow of her bosom to see her face.

"C-Close your eyes, please." She asked nervously, averting her gaze when she saw where his had drifted absentmindedly.

"Hmm.. Okay…" He hummed quietly, releasing himself to her.

If he was honest with himself, laying like this with his head in her lap was very relaxing, and he could feel himself already begging to slip away into sleep.

He was faintly aware of a quiet POP sound as Paya uncorked a bottle of some sort above him. He wanted to look, the curious part of him eager to see what it was she held, even if it were the most mundane thing.

He was simply a curious man.

There was a warm wet sound that reached his ears, and before he could voice his curiosity, he suddenly felt her warm supple hands, lightly coated in a heavenly smelling oil, cup his ears. He, despite himself, gasped softly in open surprise at the sensation, before his eyes threatened to roll back as she began gently massaging his long pointed appendages.

"Mmm…" He exhaled in a pleased relaxed way, unable to keep quiet as he experienced something he'd never felt before.

Her fingers deftly and carefully massaged his long pointed ears, which as a member of the Hylian people, made them very sensitive to touch. He felt his stress and tension melting away with every circular motion she made.

"My m-mother used to do this for my father when I was younger, when the stress of everything became too much for him. W-When he suffered from nightmares and anxiety, she would take his head i-into her lap like this." Paya explained gently, her voice softly accompanying the sounds and sensations her hands made on his ears.

"Mmhmm…" Link hummed quietly, eyes closed. Her hands felt heavenly, he couldn't pull himself away if he tried, his limbs so heavy suddenly.

"F-Father would always fall asleep so quickly that it amazed me, I k-knew I had to learn how she did it. I-I asked her once, where she learned t-to do it." She continued, a little happy smile on her face.

"Oh…? What did she say?" He inquired quietly, on the verge of falling asleep in her hands. Her touch was unbelievably relaxing.

"She told me it w-was something she learned from her mother, a-and it was how father fell in l-love with her. H-He said that he would never find anyone else as-" She blinked, tears threatening to fall. She sighed quietly…

Perhaps recalling stories from her time with her late parents wasn't the brightest idea after such an emotional night.

But, she supposed that it couldn't be helped.

"I'm sorry, Master Link. F-Forget I said anything…" She went to apologize almost immediately.

His eyes opened, glancing up at her through a half lidded gaze. "You don't have to apologize." He uttered quietly, yet with a resounding firmness that was caring.

Paya was quiet, dwelling on what he said while her hands continued to sooth him. She could see his eyes dipping hard, yet he seemed to try to hold on just to continue talking with her.

It made her feel wanted…

"W-What about you, M-Master Link? What-" She asked, before biting her tongue. It was obvious what she was going to say, but she realized that even if his family had survived the Calamity, they would've been dead a long time ago.

One hundred years had passed, after all…

Knowing what she was going to ask, he sucked in a soft breath through his nose, before speaking. "My family…" He started, almost asking himself the question she was seeking. His eyes bounced back and forth, as if seeking some memory that was fading away, before he sighed.

"My family was…" He sighed. "My father died when I was eight. I don't really remember how, but I believe he fought as a soldier…" He explained blankly. "He was always out with his duty to the king, so when he died, I joined the Hyrulian army. I…" He closed his eyes, a stinging headache stabbing at him. "I-I'm sorry, I can't remember…" He hissed out, trying to recall such events only giving him a headache.

"P-Please do no strain yourself!" She worried, glancing down over herself to gaze at him in worry.

He chucked out a small sound, smiling up at her. "It's alright, my memory is, still missing… It just seems that more is gone then I first realized…" He explained lightly. He closed his eyes again, melting into her touch as she resumed her massage.

"My mother was a very kind woman, always thinking about others instead of herself. She was always ready to sacrifice something if it meant she was helping others in the end, even at her own expense. She was amazing." He smiled, a somber expression pasted across his face.

She hated how the first words out of her mouth were what they were, but she couldn't stop herself before it was too late. "W-What happened…?" She asked quietly, before wishing she'd bitten her own tongue instead of repeating such a question. It was insensitive and rude, but after having been so open with him the whole night, she found these words more easily slipping through without thinking.

His smile dipped, yet it seemed the memory of her was too strong, and overpowered the knowledge of her passing. "She… She was taken by an illness, something that runs in my family line. It is rare, and only occurs every so many generations… and this time it was her time." He revealed softly.

"Do you miss her…?" She asked quietly. Yet, from her tone, he knew the question was also directed towards herself just as much as it was towards him.

He smiled sadly. "Always…"

"T-Then…?" She tried, struggling to find the words. He raised one eyebrow, as if realizing exactly what it was she was asking.

"How do I continue on?" He tried helpfully.

She lowered her head. "Mmhmm…"

He sighed, glancing back up to her.

"At first, I drowned myself in my duty, spending every moment of every day training. It helped quiet my mind when my heart continued to weep for her… But, then I took her last words to me to heart." He smiled up at her, that little genuine look that just seemed to proper on his face.

She instinctively wanted to ask, but bit her tongue, afraid such a question was much to private a thing to ask. Yet, even so, she couldn't help her own curiosity. But, she decided if he wished to tell her, then she would listen.

But, until then, she was going to resume her massage of his ears. Slowly his breathing evened out, and he seemed to go slack in her lap.

But, half asleep, he found it prudent enough to share with her his late mother's last words to him.

"She… She told me that she didn't want me to let her passing stay my feet, that she was afraid that I'd become so distraught over her that I would lose myself once she was gone…" He muttered, eyes closed firmly. His breathing evened out, eyes too heavy to open anymore. "I think… that she was still trying to protect me… even after… she was gone…" He trailed off, voice barely even a whisper.

She listened quietly as he spoke, not stopping in her the motions of her hands. But, she did eventually stop when she finally picked up on the sound of his breathing.

She glanced down to him, eyes widening slightly when she realized he was asleep. She blinked in surprise, before her expression melted into a little genuine smile, the sound of his own soft breathing lulling her to sleep as well.

"Good night, Master Link." She whispered, gently maneuvering herself to lay down beside him.

She never heard her bedroom door click shut, a certain old lady who was anything but asleep grinning widely behind it…

A cold and heartless wind blew across the sandy hills, carrying with it an air of danger and fear. Night, again, fell upon the seemingly desolate landscape owned by the people of the sand.

Night, within most areas of the region, carried a frigid and dangerous air that had claimed many who were too careless to fear the cold.

The same could also be said about the heat of the sun cast down upon the land by day.

Truly, the desert lands of the Gerudo were a dangerous and threatening land to any who did not descend from the tribe.

But this night was different then usual, and few were keen enough to the world around them to sense it's dangerous presence.

But, for the one that could, she knew something bad was on the horizon.

A violent and deadly thunderstorm was brewing, she could sense it in her bones.

Sitting atop her throne, alone in the night, was the current chief of the people of the sand. She was young, only seventeen years old, yet she had claimed the seat as her own.

Not out of her own strength, but mere lineage.

She was forced into the position after her mother's untimely demise when she was younger, and had been in said position ever since.

Yet, even now she struggled to manage with the many duties forced upon her. Duties what would be expected from any chief.

But she was no ordinary chief, and had no training to her name when first being appointed to such a prestigious position. Years later, she still felt as if she had so much more yet to learn before she was worthy of being called the chief of the Gerudo.

Were it not for the aid of her many assistants and personal guard, she feared she may have been even less equipped to handle such a task.

But that didn't stop her from trying, every single day, to live up to the expectations that had once been placed upon the shoulders of her late mother.

But she wouldn't lie, it wasn't easy.

Every day she'd gain reports of more and more issues arising within the borders of her land. If it wasn't the rapidly increasing population of monsters that roamed the land, then it was the pressure that they placed upon her people both inside and outside the town walls.

There hadn't been a single day within recent months that one of her people weren't attacked upon the open road at least. She was thankful that her people were strong and resourceful enough to handle themselves often enough, but it wasn't a comforting thought.

Nowhere outside the town walls was safe, not even for seasoned travelers. The roads were haunted by Lizalfos that liked to blend into their environments to await anyone that would pass by.

The local Bokoblin population had rapidly increased, and they had camps placed all around the desert, just out of sight.

But that was something that she'd been dealing with for some time now…

No, what was currently dwelling heavily upon her mind was the presence of the Devine Beast that stalked the corners of the land. It had lain dormant for many years, yet within recent months, it had seemingly come back to life of its own accord.

And now, now it mindlessly roamed the landscape not far from the town. That alone wouldn't be a terrible reality, but the ancient creation was possessed, creating terrible thunderstorms that ravaged the land.

She could feel it now, the Devine Beast again stirring up a thunderstorm.

Her people feared it, and looked to her for guidance. It was terrorizing her people, and any visitors within her land. What was worse, was she had the tools that were required to approach and potentially sooth the raging machine.

Or, rather, she did.

The one item that would allow her to approach the beast without fear of death had been taken from her in the middle of the night by lowly thieves.

And without it, she had no way of even beginning to stop the beast.

She was trapped, placed in a corner with seemingly no way out.

It kept her up at night, the stress of it all weighing upon her. At times she felt like she wanted to break, to crumble underneath all that weight and expectation placed upon her shoulders.

But, somehow she stood strong. Even when she felt like she was one more failure away from collapse, she still tried valiantly to keep her head above the water so to speak.

But that didn't make dealing with the stresses and struggles of it all any easier.

She cast her green eyed gaze out the side of her room, eyeing the lightning storm that began forming far out in the desert. She wondered, not for the first time, if there would ever come a day where peace was restored…

"It would not that easy…" She muttered bitterly to herself, pulling her legs up to her chin as she sat alone on her throne. Despite her wishes, she doubted her people would accept help from an outsider, after all, her people were a tribe of proud powerful women, not men. And the men that did make their way to the town were merely there to seek the women that called the desert their home.

Her hope of receiving help from outside the desert was slim at best, and she held no hope that she'd see help anyway. Most these days were too fearful of the tall and mighty women of the desert, and thought that they could defend themselves just fine…

She wasn't sure how long she sat there, alone within her throne room. But eventually, when the stress became too much for her to bear, she made her way to her private bedroom, hoping that the next day would provide some insight into how she was to handle the situation…

A loud thunderstorm echoed in the distance, momentarily lighting up the night skies…