Chapter 15: Flight
There was an old folklore of a Hylian peasant who had once stumbled upon a mysterious carpet and lamp on the sandy outskirts of the Gerudo Desert.
The lamp contained a spirit trapped within, and in the hopes to free itself from its imprisonment, it offered him three wishes. Having always dreamed of putting behind the slums of his street and living in a palace, the Hylian had considered his first wish; an abundance in wealth wherein he could live like the royals. Meanwhile, the carpet had a power of its own - to take flight wherever the rider desired.
And so one day, the Hylian had caught a veiled Gerudo attempting to steal from the market place so that she could feed a hungry child that had been wandering around the food stalls. He had discovered that this thief was actually the leader of her tribe.
Taken by this woman's charm and determined to understand her unusual outlook on ethics, he began to spend more time around her. Having been uncultured, he found it strange, that someone with a high status such as her would know the background of an impoverished life like he did, would understand what it was like to steal to survive. One night, he offered her a ride on the enchanted carpet he had found, and took her to see the world.
But like most dubious tales, this one was spoken as a whisper; not only because of the uncomfortable truth in that there were people starving in her homeland, or that the idea of a 'benevolent thief' would encourage more crimes. Rather, it was a reluctance to acknowledge the relationship between a Gerudo and a Hylian, something that had been frowned upon for many generations, whenever it occurred.
As for the lamp… the non-existent artifact, the concept of being able to grant any kind of wish, was akin to that of the real relic. The relic which had been the primary cause of corruption and war throughout the land.
Yet here Zelda was, venturing into the pages of her own life. Every detailed sentence was etched into images, every splotch of dark ink transcribed into colors. Colors that he had brought into her life when she had given him vibrance, colors of the world around her that was about to greet her eyes.
She had been hesitant at first, not for her sake, but for Volga's. The princess had reminded him about his back due to the lingering wounds of the Manhandla. Normally, if she had addressed this to him in front of others, he would have made a confident remark on the sturdiness of a dragon's back, the strength of the wings, and that some fading bruises would hardly hinder them.
Instead, perhaps stirred by her words, he reassured her that he had made much progress in her care, and that this would not bother him. Zelda was under the distinct impression that even if he was experiencing any sort of discomfort, he would have ignored it. It was clear to her that he was entirely devoted to her well-being, and she was not sure on how to respond to this right now, other than by her own actions.
In a concerned appreciation, her fingers brushed along his upper back in a feather-like contact. She had come across that familiar spot between his back and wings where her lips had once touched. They had been so young at the time, but now that she reflected on the memory, she felt a shy thrill inside her as she positioned her legs on either side of him.
The height from which they had ascended would have been more unnerving, if she hadn't ridden him already on several occasions. However, those times had been in exigencies of danger… falling into a dark abyss of the dead or chasing assassins and battling a venomous monster - all of which didn't exactly grant her the chance to appreciate the view at the time.
But now that he was flying at a leisurely pace, and they didn't have any immediate threat tormenting the back of their minds, they could both finally relax, if even for a little while. She was able to enjoy the extraordinary sights that would have taken a normal person weeks, if not months to reach by carriage or foot.
The fields of Hyrule did not stretch out like an evergreen blanket, as she had believed them to be. She had only ever seen the manicured lawns of her castle, but the further away from the roads and settlements, the taller… wilder it had become. The drier climates were tinged with the sun-dried yellow that signified the end of summer. There was still green, but there was also a meadow of colored blossoms, sometimes vivid and wavering, like daffodils dancing with the breeze. Then there was the more subdued flora, with its soft, pastel tones mimicking the evening sky.
Weather too, affected the prairies and farmlands. In the areas that had been exposed to recent precipitation, she could see the puddles where soil and vegetation had been soaked, and her senses had become invigorated. There was an earthly scent, of misty dew and fresh rain. Zelda breathed it in deep, a pleasant shudder coursing through her as she continued to drink in to this world that had eluded her for so long.
Every now and then, she would spot a deer bounding across the plains. Or the playful wolf cubs, cuddling against their mother in a mossy den. Even from above they were occasionally in the company of a few skittering bugs, and a surprised flock of songbirds. Zelda could hear their beaked partners whistling in a chorus, as if they were orchestrating a symphony. She stretched out her arms in unison with the gliding of their wings, and became lost in unrestrained glee, at the prospect of something she had only ever dreamed of doing. Her spirit right now felt like that of an animal, wild and carefree.
Something about the timbered incense of the Faron Woods caught her attention, and how the ancient groves and ruined keeps from previous wars, seemed to watch over like a silent sentinel. There were mysteries among the glades, amid the enchanted forests she had read about, and she remembered her nervous soldiers describing the witch's lair. There was a side to this region where a hazy fog loomed over the tree tops, making them appear ominous in contrast to the rest of the lively forest. The way the branches twisted, and how the gnarled roots had tangled themselves, like wooden skeletons petrified in an endless slumber.
Zelda's fingers clenched against her palms, and she felt a frightened, yet protective tug for the Dragon Knight that she could not really explain, which prompted her to mentally steer them away from this particular area.
This world… in all its beauty and darker traits, was fragile. This was the land that her ancestors had fought for countless generations, had spilled blood above its very soil, and died within it. This was her kingdom, and she would experience all of it past the walls of her castle.
And she could see the landmarks of the other kingdoms too; behind the mountains, within the dust bowl of the desert, past the vast woodlands, could even distinguish the massive ship at the docks where some of the foreign royals had sailed from the kingdom beyond the sea.
Though she was no longer a child, her adventurous nature still resided within her, and it was stronger than ever at this moment. She wanted to see and touch everything. Volga would sometimes land on the terrain, giving her exactly what she sought. The feel of uncultivated grass, almost reaching her height, tickled her exposed shoulders and clung to her hair in a manner that would have curled every lock of a noble's wig in dismay, but she did not have a care.
The sands of the Gerudo Desert felt cool to touch, not the sweltering hot she had imagined it to be - likely because of the slow transition to dusk. Zelda grabbed a handful of the granular texture, watching in wonder, as it sunk between her fingers, the particles scattering back onto the ground like a golden dust. This place, with its baked rocks and lonely dunes - was so rich with history, and yet such a desolate past hidden beneath its sands.
"You must be cold," Volga noted, unfastening his cloak, and wrapping it around her shoulders. "The desert can get a bit frigid for humans toward nightfall. Would you like me to take you somewhere warmer, or stay here longer?"
Zelda had not even noticed that she had been shivering, having been so exhilarated throughout their journey, that she had completely forgotten about herself during her lapse of childish sanity. She was certain that she probably looked a mess too; her hair hung loose around her back like untamed waves, lacking the braid and accessories that helped keep it neatly in place. The ends of her dress were sprinkled with tiny clumps of grass, sand, and slightly damp in some areas from where she had allowed the spray of the saltwater welcome her skin when they had walked along the shore.
Her eyes softened at his chivalrous gesture, and she took a few seconds to ponder upon his offer. What place would she like to go next? She was satisfied with just about anywhere they had travelled. Zelda had a much better idea of what Hyrule looked like now from above, and there was still much to actually explore, as she had been doing each time Volga had landed.
One place however, came to mind, as she regarded him. Something she had been wondering about for a long time now, other than the descriptions of his letters. Something Eveline had brought up with him, and which had been on her mind ever since.
How did he get to be who he was now, having lived in such a supposedly savage and uncivilized region? What had this mystery of a man meant by motivation? What secrets did this dragon hide? Her desire evolved into more than just seeing the world… but a desire to see his world.
"Thank you," she said, reveling in the warmth and smoky essence of his cloak. "I would like to meet your clan and… visit your home in the Eldin Caves. If it's not too much trouble."
Of all places Volga had thought she might request, the Eldin Caves had been the last location he had expected. From a glance, it wasn't the most scenic zone, compared to the splendor of the other regions. The sight of lava typically dissuaded humans from wandering into that territory, which made it convenient for the Lizalfos and Gorons to remain unperturbed. The lava however, wasn't actually an issue, so unless a human wanted to take a dip in its pool without some godly heat resistance sorcery, they would not melt into ashes.
Temperature was manageable too, and in fact, was cooler within certain tunnels, such as the Crystal Caves. The only time temperature could potentially pose a problem was if the human went inside the volcanoes, and such mountains were behind the Eldin Caves. There, yes, lava was more hazardous, even just being near it, and the smog would have made it more difficult to breathe the air. Those spots were barricaded to prevent non-reptilians and non-Gorons from traversing through. But as far as Volga knew, there hadn't been any eruptions for centuries.
Thankfully, his domain was suitable for a human, not that he ever had a willing guest before.
Then there was his clan. They knew better than to lunge at her like she'd be the evening meal. He had made it clear to them, ever since he first joined their tribe, that she wasn't to be harmed. Every clan had their particular set of rules, despite them being able to do almost anything they wanted for the most part. Even the Lizalfos knew they had limitations, whether they shared this world with the Gorons, the humans, or otherwise. There were other clans that did not necessarily like their rules, but they begrudgingly kept a truce with his own clan, mostly by not trying to intervene with one another and leaving each other be.
No, it was Amusei and Jules that he was wary about. Those two reptilians lived to mock his commitment to human life, to his feelings regarding the princess. It was bad enough to put himself through their humiliation, let alone to imagine the frivolous things they might say to Zelda. Not to mention their overall rowdiness that contrasted so much from the well-mannered nobles. Would she be revolted by them? Surely, she knew what to expect, from what she had seen during his trial, and likely from what she had heard or read.
Regardless, how could Volga refuse her? Especially when she was so mesmerized by everything she was experiencing, by her absentminded touches along his back when they had flown. He remembered the first time when he had walked with her in the market place, in the rare opportunity she had to be outside her castle - and how she had looked at everything in amazement.
But this… she was positively radiating with exuberance. The late sun had kissed her cheeks, bringing them a healthy color. Even in the disarranged state of her hair and dress, she took his breath away.
Have you any idea the power you possess over me?
And when he had taken them back to the sky, a thought occurred to him. Who was the fool who had come up with the idea that dragons liked to lock princesses in a tower? While he did wish to have her at his side more often - he could not fathom such an absurdity. It was like trying to imagine keeping a dove captive in a cage, and flaunting the freedom it could have behind the tiny bars. He much preferred taking her soaring into the sky, rather than succumbing her to a prison.
The amber gleam from the mountains stood out amongst the verdure of the land, and the azure of the water, like it had been plopped there as an afterthought by Din. It had been awhile since he was last there, something which his clan would undoubtably reprimand him. Volga had not returned a single time to check up on them since he had parted for the Masquerade Festival and though he knew they were taken care of by the chieftains and King Dodongo, he felt a slight dab of guilt.
"Master Volga?"
"It isss him!"
He had barely landed on the coal-rock ground, when a Lizalfos caught sight of him, which wasn't hard to do, given his distinguishable wings. It was only a matter of minutes before a flurry of reptilians darted toward his direction, pouncing on him in a scaly glomp. They had not noticed Zelda until she swung her legs from his back, her hand in his as he assisted her back to the ground.
"What is this human doing in our landsss?" a Dinolfos with an armored tail narrowed his eyes. It had been the male chieftain. Unlike most of the other reptilians, he did not jump at the opportunity of seeing Volga again, and he displayed even more rancor when he noticed the princess.
Volga tightened his grip on her hand a little, staring the reptilian down. "Technically, these are her lands that her father gave us to share," he said coolly. "I trust that won't be a problem now will it?"
Both the Dinolfos chieftain and Volga glared at each other. He knew that glare too well; it was look he'd give him when he wanted to fight with him about something, generally involving criticism to Volga's ties to anything human. And Volga's glare was the look when he wanted to make it clear that he did not want to deal with this right now. If they were going to resolve this, he'd prefer it during a time where neither would make a scene in front of everyone, especially since this was the first time he had brought Zelda over.
"Masssster Volga!" Amusei's energetic voice disrupted the tension. "And he hasss brought the princess too!"
"The princesss?" Jules poked her head from the crowd. "Volga, did you finally -"
"I haven't anything," said Volga quickly, paranoid with what she might say. "I'm just bringing a friend to visit." He had difficulty saying the word friend but he wanted to make it clear to them so that they would not make assumptions and embarrass him, or worse, her. "Anyway, Zelda this is Jules. The male chieftain is Drem-Se. And this is Amusei. You have all met back when I did my trial."
Zelda nodded, releasing his hand. "I remember. Back when they were trying to decide if I was a snack," she said with an uneasy smile. "Pleased to meet you all."
"I like her!" Amusei grinned. Subsequent to their arrival, the other reptilians stepped forth to greet them, though some were more reserved and hung back, merely watching the interactions. The male chieftain had left, not saying a word to her. "Mistress Zelda is very kind," Amusei continued. "She hasss sent us many gifts over the years. But the food she sendsss is my favorite, isss when we have the best roasted Cucco."
Amusei made a ravenous look at the very thought, and Volga shoved him playfully on the shoulder. "Yes, the food that you misfits would all sneak from the parcels she'd send, while I'd be preoccupied reading the letters."
Guffaws rang in the air, and a female chieftain presented Zelda a more courteous salute, bowing her head, jewels dangling from her ears as she did so. "And this is Mai-Sa, one of the other chieftains of our clan. She was the one who found me when I was a baby, and the… closest I have to a mother," said Volga amiably.
"Volga, please," said Mai-Sa, hugging him. "Don't get thisss old Lizalfos chief all teary eyed now. It's nice to sssee you again, and a pleasure to meet you, Princess Zelda. Volga hasss spoken very highly of you."
Somehow Volga had the feeling that Amusei and Jules wouldn't be the only ones who would make him feel bashful. After introducing more of his clan members, and walking along with them in a group toward their domain, Mai-Sa pointed to the campfire, to where - not to his surprise - they had been cooking. "If you two are hungry, you're welcome to join usss for a feast. We're having Ely Gedda."
"I actually already ate, but I appreciate it," said Zelda, taking a seat next to Volga from around the campfire. When the Lizalfos had become preoccupied with bringing spices and pots, she leaned close. "What is Ely Gedda?" she whispered in his ear.
Volga felt his heart race at her proximity. "It…" he tried to steady his breathing, pointing to the river of lava from a distance. "Do you see those creatures that spurt out of the lava now and then? It is the name we give them in our clan. I believe the closest translation to Hylian would be… flaming eel."
"They're like fissssh," said a Dinolfos, setting a chunk of meat over the cooking pit. "But you have to remove the shell, you see, because when they are attacked, the covering around them hardensss like armor. This is to discourage their predators from trying to bite through them. Once you remove the layersss, they are very juicy and tender inside."
Zelda tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear as she listened with interest, the rosy quartz embedded in her tiara glistening from the fire light.
"Say," said Jules suddenly. "What isss that thing called on your head? It's so pretty."
Zelda reached for the tiara on her head, and took it off. "This? Oh, it's called a tiara," she handed the jeweled headwear to Jules. Volga knew of his clan's admiration for gems, and Jules was certainly no exception. Her interest in human-made objects made it all the more obvious as she inspected the tiara with entranced fascination.
"One day, when I become chieftain," Jules said hopefully. "I want to wear something like thisss." She was about to set it on her head, when she glanced between Volga and Zelda. "Isss… it alright if I try it on?"
"Jules…" said Volga in a tone of an apprehensive parent. "Give it back to her."
With a pouting tongue, Jules returned her tiara, but the princess, instead of putting it on her own head, gently placed it upon Jules. The circlet comically drooped to the side of her forehead. "It's a little big on you," said Zelda sheepishly. "But if you'd like, I can have one made for your size. Perhaps a diadem so it's more adjustable?"
Jules looked at her with wide eyes. "Oh, Princesss! I would love that!"
Even to my own clan, you are kind… as if I haven't fallen hard enough for you already…
Having warmed up to Zelda a bit, Jules reached for a satchel and tossed it to Volga. "We have pecansss that we harvested outside the mountainsss. Have Master Volga roast them for you, his fire makes them very deliciousss. Then dip some of that stuff… ah what was it called again? It'sss like melted sugar, and goldish-brown. Here, we have plenty."
"Caramel?" Zelda supplied, while Jules passed her the potted container. "Thank you."
"Yesss, that's what it was!" the female Lizalfos beamed, as if she had just learned a new word. "Caramel. You humansss have funny words."
Volga saw the surprise on Zelda's face, and he couldn't blame her. How would anyone expect for the reptilians to enjoy pecans of all things, when most associated them with only eating meat? "Roasting pecans over a fire is a pastime here we do now and then," he explained, taking the satchel, and pouring the pecans on a ceramic plate that only he bothered using. Just because his clan preferred to eat on the ground, didn't mean he would subject her to that.
He hovered his fingers over the plate. Flames spiraled around his hand, heating the pecans, a savory scent enveloping the air. Volga gave them to her, relishing in being the one able to provide her with such things, when she had given him so much when they were young.
Zelda dipped the caramel into the pecans, and took a bite. "Mhm… Volga," she closed her eyes briefly. "This is actually really good. Have some too?"
Volga could feel Amusei and Jules flashing him a suggestive wink without even having to look at them. He took some of the pecans, and chewed, trying to ignore the heat in his body that had nothing to do with the fire in front of him. The feeling was familiar… a desire to please the princess, but yearning in intimacy. Deciding that he did not want anyone to be wondering what was on his mind, he spoke up. "In some of these feasts, the clan would tell stories, usually of their battles or adventures."
"King Dodongo had the scariest storiesss," Amusei added, yellow eyes shining from the flames. "He's older than all of usss, and he's experienced so much."
He momentarily broke out of his reverie. "Where is King Dodongo anyway?"
Mai-Sa made a low hiss. "He's gone back to guard the cavesss where you had your trial. Says he feels a disturbance coming from the Valley of Seersss, and those caves aren't far from there."
"The Valley of Seers?" asked Zelda, after swallowing another morsel of pecans.
Motioning her serpentine head toward the mountains behind them, Mai-Sa nodded. "It isss a strange place that lies beyond these mountainsss, quite some distance to the north east. It was said to be one of the bloodiest battlefieldsss during many wars, but now all that remains is a barren land with little, if any living thingsss."
Several of the reptilians quavered, and Jules flicked her tail. "King Dodongo told us storiesss of battles long ago, where demonsss had emerged from the ground and terrorized Hyrule, and even other kingdomsss. We tend to… steer clear of that valley. It's the kind of place you get a weird vibe from by jussst looking at it, you know?"
"I got a similar vibe from a section in the Faron Woods," said Zelda in a small voice.
Volga frowned. "Sounds like places I should investigate."
"No!" Amusei, Zelda, and Jules exclaimed all at once. The Dragon Knight raised an eyebrow at them in quizzical amusement.
Then Jules huffed loudly. "No, no, you're not. You will ssstay right here and let us pester you with questions like how did you get such fancy armor clothesss? And tell us of your battlesss with that crazy plant we've been hearing the morons - I mean Gorons… jumbling about. Who did you dance with at the masssquerade thingy? What is noble life of humansss like? Tell usss a story, Master Volga."
"There's too much to tell."
"Oh come on, jussst this once? You don't even have to mention everything," Jules ushered, and Amusei joined in. "We barely get to see you, and we want to lisssten to a story before sleeping. Pleassse?" they gave him the most innocent, pleading look they could accomplish.
"Go on, Volga," Zelda encouraged, much to their delight.
Volga finally gave in. "Alright."
It wasn't long before Volga's clan finished their feast. Most of them had spent time chattering amongst themselves or sharing stories over the diminishing camp fire. They were now lounging around drowsily, getting ready to retreat to their sheltered crags.
"Come on, off to bed you sleepy lizards," Volga murmured, carefully hoisting Amusei and Jules with each one of his arms, and taking them to their dens. Zelda noted this almost parental exchange. The way Volga had vaguely ran his fingers over their heads when he had told them the story they wanted, how he would occasionally scold them and when he carried them to sleep - he appeared more like a father to them at times, rather than an older sibling.
There was a side to him in this place that, though she had seen attributes of before, stood out more to her than ever; a bestial responsibility, in this case being for his clan. A rougher demeanor perhaps stemmed from the expectations upon him… something not much different from her own. And even with all of that, there was sometimes a playfulness in his mannerism, or his flustered display of affection - that drew her in. Every aspect of him was enamoring to her.
The clan itself, from what Zelda had seen thus far, had been nothing like what she had heard from her people. Of course, they were still wild, uneducated, and primitive in lifestyle. At times they were more like children. They were quick to bicker with one another, and they would laugh it off just as easily, a laid-back simplicity. She wondered if this was one of the reasons she had felt relaxed in their presence.
When Volga reappeared from the den, he led her to a slope along the caves to the trail that would presumably be to his home. His broad shoulders were tense, but his expression looked to be one of relief and disbelief. Did he think she would negatively judge him, now that she was seeing his life among the reptilians, rather than his interactions with the nobles?
"That went better than I expected," he mused. "I mean, other than a few complications. That was a thoughtful gesture you did back there for Jules, too. You didn't have to do that, but I appreciate it."
"I think some of them were more uneasy of me, especially the male chieftain, but I didn't mind them," Zelda admitted. "They're easier to get along with than the nobles probably were for you."
Volga shook his head. "Drem-Se doesn't really like anyone, don't worry about him. He never liked me either, but it was much worse when I first moved in."
"Why?"
"He's one of those reptilian veterans from numerous battles, and basically harbors contempt for anyone who is not Lizalfos and Dinolfos. Even though the reptilians look up to me for having a resemblance to Volvagia, it bothers him that I have human features at all, and more so that I'm involved with them. Let's just say he's the most difficult reptilian to please," he said dryly.
How does one go about pleasing a reptilian chieftain? Zelda wondered. Though Mai-Sa, that female chieftain seemed more approachable and welcoming.
They had passed a wooden scaffolding, with a gate protecting a keep. Volga set upon a complex path to the side of the keep, stepping over the elevated rocks. Zelda had become aware that the territory he had claimed for his own was not one that would easily be found, something he had likely done on purpose.
Reaching a stone archway, was a door, an actual door, with a lock that Volga inserted a key into. Once inside, she gaped at the sight before her.
Candles lit the wall scones from Volga's doing, enveloping the corridors with a warm, homely glow. Furniture decorated the rooms, most of them hand-carved, others more exotic in design and plush fabrics.
He had the foundation of a man's home; lounge, dining room, kitchen, bathing room, bedroom… some of the areas held something unique to his dragon form, for instance the ceilings being particularly high indicated to her that he would have more space to move around. In one of the rooms, were potted shrubberies, most intended to be grown for food and medicine. Zelda was no botanical expert, but she had asked him how they got their sunlight, and he pointed above.
There was a glass hatch built on the ceiling. It looked like a window that could be opened from inside, and being that his home was quite elevated, she could see the sky behind the glass. He had explained that the air from outside was fresh here, and that he'd sometimes open the hatch just to enjoy the breeze or warmth of the sun. Zelda noticed there was a particularly large expanse of empty space underneath this hatch, and she smiled as she imagined the dragon, curling lazily in a nap, the sun's rays upon his magnificent, red scales.
"You didn't think I lived in a bubbling pit of lava, or some eerie tower, hoarding valuables and treasures, did you, Princess?" Volga asked, smirking at her. "Well, I do have treasures, which I'll show you whenever we're done here."
"Volga," Zelda breathed. "This is amazing. Did you… build this all by yourself?" she pressed her hand flat on the wall, feeling its sturdy, smooth texture.
The Dragon Knight was pleased with her reaction. "You like it?" he said proudly. "I built the walls and the furniture, but some of it was purchased instead. I had a few Gorons work on the doors, locks, and other features, with the exchange of gems of course."
"I love it. I've never seen such a creative idea for a home."
Green eyes glinted in delight, likely from her compliments that no guest would have made from fear of entering a dragon's domain. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?" he offered. "Make yourself comfortable."
"Just some water, thank you," she replied. "I might have enjoyed those pecans too much."
His lips twisted knowingly, before disappearing to retrieve her drink. Zelda looked around, loosening the cloak from her shoulders, secretly wishing her bedroom was this cozy. She delicately folded the bundle and placed it on a cushioned chair. The red, velvet couch in front of the fire place looked inviting, and she was about to take a seat, when something had caught her eye.
Grand bookshelves aligned the walls along the corner of the lounge, and they appeared to proceed into another room, likely his study. Zelda approached the area in wonder, taking in the sight of countless books scrunched in each shelf, some disorderly laying sideways, others organized in various categories. Arithmetics, alchemy, astronomy, history - that subject alone had numerous volumes nestled together.
And the different subjects continued further down the shelves… Zelda paused at language and literature. She pulled out a book simply titled Hylian, and skimmed through the pages curiously. The content prefaced basic Hylian culture, dialects, and - she pulled out several leaflets that had separated the pages with what appeared to be Volga's notes. Listings of vocabulary words, of grammar and usage were written in his handwriting, tentative sentences and errors of his own that he had made attempts to correct.
She placed the book back in the shelf, her mind spinning. Did Volga read all of these books? While she had known that he had studied throughout their exchange of letters, she never knew he had been this potentially committed.
It did not stop there. Zelda followed the shelves that extended to the other room. The books had become more specified here, many of which she recognized, herself. Royalty. Everything one could possibly imagine about the life of a royal seemed to highlight these particular shelves, from court etiquette, to types of regal clothing, to the many, perplexing explanations of when to use eating utensils for specific meals. And there was so much more, that the princess had to take a moment to step away from the shelf, and glance around the room.
There was a quaint globe, and next to it, was Volga's desk. Bottles of ink and assorted quills rested upon parchments, both blank and written. There was an open book that detailed the steps of ballroom dancing, and more of his notes to the side, a part of it showing a checklist on what he still needed to work on. Zelda spotted an unfolded letter, one that contained the Royal Family stamp and was apparently an invitation to the Masquerade Festival. There were more letters, some of her own that she had sent him, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to resist the urge to read through them.
One of the letters she had recognized without even having to pry, because it was one of the longest letters she had ever written to him. He had asked her years ago about the things she wanted and she had said; seeing Hyrule Field, of a man who was kind and passionate, who accepted her interests in music, literature and… her eyes widened. All of this…
And then she saw it.
Beneath the letters and parchments, was a worn sketch. It was the sketch they had drawn together when they were little. She had made a male and female dragon to try and provide a happy ending to the usual tragedy of dragons being slain by heroes. But Volga had drawn something back then, and he had refused to show her. Now she saw, the female dragon was inked out and replaced by… a girl. A girl with pointy ears, a flowing dress, and a tiara that looked exactly like her own.
Zelda felt as if the ground beneath her had vanished, and she was standing on air. She couldn't feel her legs, and she found herself holding her weight against his desk, her fingers gripping the edge. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to sort out her thoughts, trying to understand the complexity of the sensations within her. Her heart was pounding right now, and she didn't think this was normal.
Slowly, she set the sketch back to its original place beneath the letters, attempting to rearrange the desk to the way it was as best as she could. She returned to the lounge, pondering on what to do. If she sat down by the time he came back then perhaps he wouldn't find anything suspicious in that she had essentially snooped around his study. Yet she couldn't bring herself to do so, and stood instead, facing the bookshelf she had originally observed. She felt it to be prudent that he'd be aware, at least to some degree, that she had been looking around.
When he returned, the hammering in her chest overtook her once more. She felt strange, conflicting emotions… a part of her wanted to hide away from the fact that she was very much enticed by this male, in more ways than one. The other part of her, felt more daring, a need to explore what these feelings actually meant and how he would react to them. A need to explore him.
"I see you found my library," he said, giving her the water. "I believe I owe you a book."
Zelda took the glass and thanked him, bringing the liquid to her lips as she studied him move around his shelves to search for the book he wanted to give her. When he found the volume, he pulled it out of the shelf and held it out for her. "Here you go."
Despite everything, she could not help the literature-enthusiasm overtake her as she took the book and held it lovingly against her chest. "Thank you so much, Volga."
"You…" his gaze flickered with an uncharacteristic, but recognizable shyness, a more subtle side to him that she too, found endearing. "You can keep it. Any of these books, if you ever need them, they're yours."
You are so dear to me. Everything you have done for me… how do I convey this feeling to you?
She had planned to confront him about the sketch, about her other curiosities, but she did not know where to begin. Her mind was still processing what she had seen - was it merely a child's drawing, or was she overreacting to the implications? She didn't want to disrupt this moment, when he looked so happy with being able to show her everything, so eager to show her more.
Zelda had come to realize that his guard was down when he was with her, a vulnerability reflected in his eyes. Seeing him slowly open up to her like this, in ways that would have been almost impossible for him to do in front of anyone else - had encouraged a thought. Perhaps if she, too… opened up to him a little, he wouldn't be alone in this. Then maybe everything would fall into place.
Volga could not recall the last time his home had ever felt so alive. Everywhere she looked wanted to open more doors for her, wanted to give her everything to sate her curiosity. His walls had been strong, but the years of cold emptiness that came with them… had been stronger. Now they warmed at her touch, at the praises from her beckoning lips. Every book on his shelf wanted to bow to her, for she had been the base for knowledge, and an inspiration to her tribute.
Even the gems from the Crystal Caves never looked more enchanting, as he escorted the princess through the treasures that bordered his home. The way the crystals illuminated the tunnels resembled thousands of cyan stars, captured in her awed gaze. In all the places they had travelled today, he had never seen her this captivated by their surrounding.
This only encouraged him to take her further into its depths, to the covered alcove that not even his own clan had known the existence of, because even upon scrutiny, it appeared as an opening to a dead end. Volga pushed aside the rugged boulders that blocked the entrance, and took them inside.
A refreshing breeze swept through them, carrying the tang of damp rocks and wet clay. The deeper they went, the air grew crisp and vaguely spiced, like fresh berries plucked from an autumn branch. Water trickled along the stones, the sound getting louder, as the dim light at the end of the tunnel became more clear. Light that had come from outside, from the night's cunning nature. It was there, that they reached the clearing.
The view looked as if it had been crafted by the gods and goddesses themselves to spend their time in, its beauty hidden from mortal eyes. Waterfalls resounded from the tall ridges, cascading down like multiple blue satins threaded with silver. They drizzled into the rocks, plunging and foaming into a pristine spring.
Though the cavern's walls enclosed the area, the open air from above made it distinct because there was, not just cool water, but actual life teeming within. Sometimes the croaking of the frogs could be heard from the floating lily pads and the ferns near the water. These plants also grew on the walls, alongside the moss and crystals that bathed the rocks in a green and blue luminescence.
But Volga's attention was drawn of course, to the woman's reaction upon what she was seeing. There was so much she had spectated today, and perhaps overwhelmed by its entirety, she was now rendered speechless. He watched as she crouched at the edge of the spring, touching the water and grass around her as if to convince herself that everything was real.
"I found this place years ago while searching for a water source," he informed. "Those waterfalls are coming from a stream that if you follow along its path, will eventually lead to Lake Hylia. I've read that the erosion over time gradually shifted the rivers closer to the mountain range near Death Mountain. It is possible that one of these streams might have expanded all the way here in the Crystal Caves, from such an occurrence."
"The glow from the crystals remind me of the glow from the gift you gave me. This place is beautiful," she said, standing up as her hair and dress whirled around her, a peaceful expression on the side of her face that was almost picturesque, with the waterfalls before her. Volga swallowed, knowing that for his own sake, he should probably look away, but he couldn't bring himself to with the practiced readiness he had known.
"You're beautiful."
Had he voiced that aloud? He had, and he found that he didn't want to take it back. He couldn't differentiate between his thoughts and words at the moment.
She turned to face him, her eyes intrigued, but she was such an enigma at times, that he could not always anticipate what she would do or say. So when she took a few steps toward him, Volga could feel his knees weakening, even though he was firmly rooted to the spot. He breathed in to let the oxygen into his lungs, trying to relax his body, yet when he exhaled, he felt just as nervous.
"You know what this reminds me of?" she said thoughtfully, raising her hand as if to place on his shoulder, but lingering uncertainly between them. "When you first said that to me and then we danced. I thought I was swept into some fairy tale, with how dreamy you were about everything," she gave an implied, self-berating laugh. "A part of me still wonders if all of that really happened, or if we had simply spent the night battling those assassins and the Manhandla."
Her face tilted downwards, and somehow this brief avoidance of eye contact showed a sensitive side to her that she preferred to keep to herself. "We never really spoke of our dance since then," she said sadly. "It… would have been one of the best moments in my life, had we not been interrupted. I daresay today has been quite the contender."
Volga felt as if he was soaring on solid ground. Between his hopeful elation at what she was insinuating, his smugness with her associating him as dreamy, and his anxious excitement to sweep her off her feet - his emotions could not seem to hold back from his control.
"There's no reason we can't relive that moment and make it your best," he said, trying to calm his eagerness, and failing. "Or even that all of this can't happen again. Me showing you the world doesn't have to be limited to only today. I want to take you anywhere, anytime you wish. I know that won't always be easy to arrange with your responsibilities at the castle, but it no longer has to be a wishful fairy tale for you. Let me make them come true."
His speech had picked up momentum with each passing word, rushed in his child-like state of enthusiasm, almost as if he were worried that if he did not get everything out, his offer would be revoked. He took her suspended hand and brought them to his shoulder, only realizing seconds too late of his directness. "If… if you want to of course. I mean, if you're tired and rather me take you back to the castle, let me know too."
Zelda's mouth opened at this display, but no sound came out. The mesmerized, but mysterious expression on her face had captured all of his words, the glimmer in her eyes speaking a world of its own. She rested her hand on his shoulder, but rather than keeping her arms at a typical dancing distance, she closed that empty space, bringing her other arm around his back as she clung to him.
This action… felt different from her way of showing gratitude, though he was certain it was included - this was something else. Something in her hold, in the way her fingers grasped the back of his shirt in a confused desperation that her words struggled to express. The way their bodies had been pressed so close, that he could not tell his erratic heart beat from her own. She was trembling just as much as he was.
"I'd rather be with you," her somewhat shaken voice was muffled as the side of her cheek buried against his chest.
Stunned, Volga stood there, his body surrendering to the sheer intensity of this sensation, of this… reciprocated grip that he had held for her for so long, that it was as if they were being reunited all over again. Even though they were dancing, there was less eloquence in their movements, not so much focused on the dance itself, but a slow swaying, the feel of being in each other's arms.
Something had changed between them. He knew this by now, and he was certain she did too. There always was something between them, but today was different. From the moment she took the flower, from the moment he took her to the sky. This… friendship they shared, Volga did not know what it was anymore. It was as if everything he wanted to give her was too much for only friendship to contain.
"Volga," she said, and though they had not moved from their positions, he could hear a hesitancy in her tone. "I saw… your collection of different subjects. I saw your many shelves featuring the life of royals, and your notes." she paused. "I don't understand why you went to the lengths you did to learn more about royals. That would have been exhausting for most."
He could have told her that he was simply interested in learning more, but those words did not want to come out. Why would he only give her a half-truth? If she had made it as far on his shelves to be able to find his royal gallery, then what else had she seen? There were letters he had written to her, intimate letters that he had never sent in fear of her never writing to him again if she had known… of how desperately in love he was with her.
"I saw the sketch."
Volga bristled and she had felt his tension. She did not have to explain what sketch she was talking about, even though it wasn't as if he had only ever drawn once in his entire life. But somehow, he knew exactly which sketch she was referring to.
"Zelda, I…" she pulled back slightly to look up at him, their swaying coming to a stop.
She brought her hand to his cheek, and at her touch, he could not concentrate on his words. The last time they had been in a similar situation, he had his mask, but now there were no barriers between them.
"Your skin looks a little red," her thumb brushed over one of the markings on his cheeks.
Of this he had no doubt, but finding an adequate response to such a statement was proving to be rather difficult. "It's n-nothing," he said, hoping to convince her that his reaction was caused by something other than the flushed reaction of his skin. Then he remembered the barely visible smudges from when he had tried rubbing them off. Perhaps she was referring to this. "I thought I would be able to remove the markings with some of the ointment Impa lent me but… it didn't work."
He could see the question in her eyes, and a pensive silence fell between them. For a few seconds, nothing but the sound of the tranquil water could be heard. Volga lifted his hand to where hers had been on his cheek, covering her hand with his own. He didn't want them to be interrupted like last time, didn't want to lose this. He didn't know yet how to confess, but he felt that she at least, deserved something more substantial than silent denial.
"I studied hard," he said quietly. "Because you inspired me, and I practiced writing, so that I could keep in contact with you. I read about royal life because… the day I was to be reunited with you again, I wanted to become more than what I was. I know I may not be royal, and that a part of me will always be a dragon, like in that sketch, but I still want to treat you as a prince would. I want to give you so much more, because I want to be with you."
He slouched in defeat, wishing he could hide his face in her hair, wishing she had never noticed that he had attempted to remove the markings. What would she think of him now, if she knew how foolish he had been over a painting? What would she think now, if she knew…
Perhaps his emotions had somehow reached her, because clarity formed at the depths of her eyes. It was as if everything suddenly made sense, even if they both might have known it all along. Yet neither had known how to acknowledge their own feelings… how would they have known each other's? This was something so new to them, each of them trying to find their own ways of demonstrating how to express themselves.
Zelda reached with both hands, and he closed his eyes. Her fingers were exploring the contours of his face, and stroking the planes. She was willingly touching him, and he was lost in her caress.
His eyes had been closed. They did not open until he felt a warm moisture on his cheek, her soft lips on his skin, and trailing over his markings. The markings that had sealed his fate before he had taken his first breath, and made him who he was.
And it felt glorious.
"I love how you are," she said softly. It was almost as if with her, he was dreamy. What if there were no markings at all? What if it had all been an illusion that she could see through, when others could not?
"I want…" she trailed off, a brave shyness in her voice, as she tip toed slightly against him, their lips so close, that Volga could no longer resist her. He gently cupped the side of her face and leaned forward, placing his lips on hers.
Zelda had been so longing to kiss him, that she was not sure who leaned in first, but when she felt the contact of their lips, it didn't even matter. All thoughts of anything had momentarily become obsolete.
A pleasant tingling coursed throughout her body, like an electric current. There was a faint trace of pecan, and a distinct cinnamon smokiness that deliciously melted into her senses. There was so much warmth. It radiated between them, from his lips, to their bodies, and she never felt anything more addicting. It was only the feel of their lips, and it was already doing this much.
Her hand travelled to the side of his strong jawline, and she made a sigh of delight when she felt his fingers burying into her hair, deepening the kiss. Everything was foreign to her, yet their instincts felt natural, like they had this coming for a long time. Like there was more to come at its own pace.
When she reluctantly parted to catch her breath, she could see that he appeared just as breathless as she was. His expression mirrored her own utter astonishment at what they had just shared. His eyes were darkened with controlled desire, and softened with adoration, and he looked so blissfully flustered, that she wanted to kiss him all over again.
"Zelda," he said huskily, his tone coaxing inviting shivers down her spine. "Did we really…?"
"Yes, we really," she replied, smiling against his lips. "And now I don't want to go home."
His fingers brushed her cheek. "Then stay with me a little longer," he murmured. "I'll take you back before it gets too late."
She wanted to stay here for the rest of the night, wanted to lie upon the moss-covered rocks near the waterfall, and curl up against him until her call to return back to the castle would inevitably pressure her. Until she would have to confront what reality expected of her, and what she wanted out of reality. And there would be a great deal more to think about.
For now, she wanted to obliterate all these thoughts, and cherish their moment, with what time would grant them.