"Camping like this, is still a bit strange to me." Ruby looked around the small clearing as the fire crackled. As one of the youngest sages at thirteen she found her elder traveling companions fascinating. 'How did they dance around the obvious attraction between them like that?'
Zelda's musical laughter quietly echoed in the night. "Given how things stood just a couple weeks ago. I will gladly accept this lighter atmosphere of, roughing it." She turned her eyes from the flames and glanced at the savior of Hyrule as he put up a small four person tent. "Though, stubbornness needs to take a back seat to common sense in this instance." The princess sighed quietly.
The Sage grinned in spite of herself. "Come on Lady Zelda we are a couple of castle girls after all. I can't really blame the guy for giving us our own space."
The blonde heir sighed again. "It is not about that Ruby it is simply impractical. He insist on carrying that heavy fabric and wooden poles himself. Then on top of that he sleeps under the stars instead of sharing the shelter with us."
The red head shrugs. "Well he did trek all over the kingdom without such conveniences. At least he shares the burden of watches with us?"
"I suppose your right in that regard at least." The older girl turned again towards Link. As he happily does that strange celebration of his at finishing setting up the shelter. 'What did the commoners call it? A double fist pump she thought was the term.' She remembered back in the cell when he defeated her corrupted jailer. It took every bit of her noble pride to keep from laughing aloud at the strange, but cute display. That had been over two years ago when they first met. Now she smiled privately at the memory.
Link sat on the ground near the dimming light of the fire ring. He tossed some thicker logs on preparing for the rest of the night. He smiled at Zelda from what he hoped was a respectful distance. Turning to the Fire Sage he spoke in a friendly manner. "Thanks a lot for your help Ruby. You saved us a bit of trouble by getting the campfire started with your gift."
"No trouble at all Link." She looked at her hands as small flames danced across her palms briefly. "You know, despite my time trapped in the Dark World. In a way I'm grateful since it's the reason I was shown the dormant power in my heart. I can't really speak for the other girls feelings on the matter, however." She smiled playfully making the fire sparkle a bit. As she altered the intensity randomly for different color effects. "You two should get to bed already I've got first watch."
Link rose and bowed his head formally. Then he spoke with comical politeness. "You are truly wise beyond your years. Oh great Sage of Fire." As he laughed lightly he bowed with real conviction to the royalty in their group. "Goodnight, Princess Zelda." With that he laid down and had one last grin for the red head. "See you in three hours Ruby." The girls shared a look and wished him pleasant rest as well. Then he lowered his green hat over his eyes and passed out in just a few minutes on the soft ground.
Zelda resisted the urge to reprimand him again for refusing to sleep in the tent. She stood up and wandered to the other side of the firepit. Ruby already had her gold fringed brush out. As the handmaiden responsible for her hair went to work she sighed again. "I envy you Ruby. What do I have to do? To get him to treat me as casually as you."
"Honestly, I couldn't say Lady Zelda. Boys are hard to understand." She tended to her long blonde hair counting quietly to herself. As she finished the nightly ritual for the princess she whispered to her. "Time for bed, see you in the morning."
The elder woman stood without protest and entered the tent. Her gaze momentarily lingered on Link as she closed the flap to the outside. He insisted on taking the middle shift every night. The darkest time was always considered the most dangerous.
Afternoon, next day...
The trio trekked thru the forest with no path to speak of. Link was in the lead as the most experienced traveler. Suddenly, beautiful music caught their pointed ears.
The knight thought it sounded vaguely familiar, but couldn't immediately place it. He held an arm up as the agreed upon signal to stop quickly. The two girls complied to his relief. He moved foward alone. He found himself at the edge of a clearing. There was a large crowd of animals gathered around a singular tree stump. A boy he recognized played a familiar tune on an ocarina. Relieved, he signaled the girls to come up beside him. This was an unplanned concert few would ever know of. The kid looked a lot healthier and happier than the last time he saw him.
Ruby felt the unexpected urge to dance as her body unconsciously swayed to the music. 'How was a boy about her age able to play so well?'
Zelda was taken by surprise at such talent. It reminded her of an old story that took place before the Imprisoning War. Supposedly, the hero that failed had a natural talent with that very instrument. Gannon himself destroyed a great treasure of the royal family just before claiming the Triforce. The Ocarina of Time was lost that dark day never to be seen again.
As the magnificent sound came to an end a horrible roar disturbed the listeners. Unfortunately, all three members of the group recognized the cause well enough. Whispers from all of them answered the unspoken question "Moblins!"
The Royal Hylian knight charged into the clearing sword drawn. The ring of steel seemed to echo. "Kid get behind me!" To the boys credit he wasn't panicking. Instead he was wielding a solid looking wooden sword two handed.
Several thrown spears stuck in the ground inches from the two guys. Five creatures came crashing thru the trees. They were each two feet taller than Link himself. Their muscular bodies flexed as they charged the pair. Three arrows of pure light struck the fastest moblin. It crumpled to the ground turning to smoke. The others hesitated momentarily as a ball of fire struck another in the head. It screamed in pain as it's flesh blackened and turned to smoke.
Link smiled as his female companions showed what they were capable of. Zelda was definitely a better archer than him. He also envied Ruby's masterful control of her powers. He raised his shield as a meaty hand struck the polished surface. Without a thought he severed the offending limb then bisected the creature from hip to chest and it became smoke.
The younger boy dropped low as a claw clipped his hat. He used all the strength he could muster to strike the back of the knee. As it dropped two more arrows finished it off. The boy watched as his male helper suddenly stabbed the last moblin multiple times with amazing speed. The short, but rough battle was then over. Then he took a knee as the two pretty girls left the cover of the trees. "Please Sir Link, my name is Mido. I want to be your squire."