Chapter 13: Some Things Never Change

Ruto and Link did not stay at Lon Lon Ranch long, only long enough to enjoy a hearty meal and stock up on Lon Lon Milk (Ruto's favorite comfort food, apparently). And comfort her it had. Ruto was currently cradled in Link's left arm, wrapped up in a blanket, sound asleep, her belly bulging. Link held Epona's reins in his right hand as they rode through Hyrule Field.

Link couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of how she became so content, all of them seated at the breakfast table, watching with fascination as Ruto guzzled down bowl after bowl of Lon Lon Milk with reckless abandon, having requested it to be laid out on the table so she could feed herself somewhat unassisted, at least. It may have given her the slightly awkward appearance of a pet eating from a food bowl, but (according to Ruto at least) it was slightly more dignifying than being fed the regular way of feeding an infant; which would have been their only other option, truthfully.

While Ruto enjoyed multiple helpings of milk (per her insistence), Link entertained his hosts with tales of his recent adventures, as well as explained his current circumstances. Talon was interested in the event's that went down in this Termina place -namely the Romani sisters - while Malon was intrigued with his current involvement with Ruto. He had explained how they had fallen in love with each other, but in the beginning, were separated by unalterable circumstances, and how Ruto, unable to accept their separation, had cast out the fragment of her soul that held her love for Link from her being, said fragment morphing into the baby Zora currently enjoying yet another bowl of Lon Lon Milk. Link explained that they were currently journeying in search of something that could return her to normal so they could be together. Link kept the more morbid details of his quest to himself though. He didn't want Malon and Talon to know about Prince Hojim and his prejudiced views of other races.

The last thing they needed was a perpetual fear of an army of hostile Zora's possibly invading Hyrule.

For her part, Malon actually hadn't been put off when Link explained the true depth of their relationship (such as their difference in species) like he had surmised she would, only finding the lengths in which he was willing to go for the one he loves both inspiring and adorable, and she profusely congratulated them on finding each other. After the meal, with Ruto succumbing to contented slumber, Link departed Lon Lon Ranch on Epona, having only stopped here to stock up on milk. He bid farewell to his friends, Malon wishing them luck, Talon stating he was proud of Link for his conviction to Ruto; for it reminded him of how he had courted Malon's mother in his youth.

With his love in his arms, Link soon found himself rounding a bend which brought the entrance to Gerudo Valley in sight after riding about half a day. The land shifted from green grassland to red ultisol, high cliffs looming over Link as they rode through. If he was honest with himself, Link was slightly apprehensive about this place. More specifically, encountering the Gerudo once more. Their connection with Ganondorf notwithstanding, the Gerudo were an unsympathetic, antagonistic bunch that had virtually no relation to any other people of Hyrule; not to mention they consisted of notorious thieves, every single one of them.

But one of the only methods to properly leave Hyrule was through the Haunted Wasteland, which is located past the Gerudo Fortress, which, in turn, is located past Gerudo Valley. Plus, the Haunted Wasteland was the proper route to Veasian, so Link was left with little choice. Before long, Link was guiding Epona over the simple wooden bridge that spanned the massive ravine that ran through Gerudo valley, approaching the thick iron gate that barred entry to the fortress.

There, a single Gerudo guard stood watch, arms folded with a frown as she saw Link approaching.

"Kid, are you lost or something?" she asked, her tone icy cold, her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed.

Link looked up at the Gerudo guard with conflicting degrees of annoyance. Her tone was condescending, but it was something Link had come to expect. Gerudos were pretty bigoted after all. But he was also annoyed that she didn't seem to recognize him. His "future" dealings with the Gerudo notwithstanding (none of them would remember any of that anyway), when he first set out on his journey from Kokiri Forest he had explored a lot of Hyrule, and even came to this place a few times. He'd just been curious then, having no prior knowledge of the Gerudo, and the guard had been cold and unwelcoming, callously turning him away. You'd think she'd recognize him at least somewhat, especially considering how much he had annoyed her when he once tried to sneak past her wearing the Gerudo Mask. How many people must she turn away each day to not remember such instances?

Then again, it might not be the same guard.

"I seek passage into the Gerudo Fortress," Link declared boldly and without hesitation.

The guard's expression became even colder. "Kid, now I know you are lost. Anyone from around here knows that you don't just casually walk into the Gerudo Fortress like it's just public domain. Only Gerudo are allowed entry into the Gerudo Fortress, so scram!"

Link, however, didn't turn back. "I am aware that only a limited few are permitted to enter the Gerudo Fortress. Which is why I've brought this." He reached into his travel bag and pulled out his old Gerudo Membership Card and presented it to the guard.

Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the card.

"Th…that's Nabooru's handwriting," she said in a hushed voice. "How did you get that?"

"Through trial and error that impressed your people and they recognized that I was worthy of joining the Gerudo," answered Link, stowing away his Gerudo Membership Card. "Now, will you let me pass, please?"

The Gerudo guard looked immensely puzzled. A young Hylian boy with something roughly baby sized bundled in his arms, requesting entrance to the Gerudo Fortress, probably one of the most unsafe places in all the Kingdom of Hyrule, and with an authentic Gerudo Membership Card as well? This was a level of absurdity that the Gerudo just didn't train their guards to deal with.

But, as unsure about the situation as she was, she was sure about one thing. Nabooru's word was law. If this child somehow had her favor then so be it.

Without another word, the Gerudo guard clapped her hands and the gate opened. And Link didn't beat around the bush either. He kicked Epona in the sides gently and proceeded past the guard. She watched him out of the corner of her eye until he disappeared behind the wall of rock behind her, unsure whether or not she let him pass because of the Gerudo Membership Card, or because she wanted her role in whatever crazy shenanigans were going down to be as minimal as possible.

In all her years of guarding the bridge to the Gerudo Fortress she had never once had an encounter like this. And what was he holding bundled in his other arm? It almost appeared to be… breathing.

—

Link, for his part, was grateful for the guards' cooperation. He'd been afraid he would have to take drastic measures to get past the constantly closed gate of the Gerudo Fortress. He wouldn't have forced his way in, no, that would have just invited the ire of all the other Gerudo, instead he would have had to resort to utilizing one of Zelda's gifts. Before he left Hyrule Castle Zelda had given him a few objects she thought would help him on his quest, one such object for the off chance he ran into any trouble with the Gerudo.Link was glad he didn't have to utilize it just to get into this place.

He was fairly certain that the next guard would not be so accommodating.

He donned the Stone Mask just before the familiar cliff-dwelling that is the Gerudo Fortress came into sight, steering Epona away from the entry ramp entirely and towards the looming gate located beyond. This gate was the entrance to the Haunted Wasteland; through which Link could leave Hyrule and his quest would truly begin.

The gate had two guardians, one typical Gerudo guard and a gatekeeper. Link could afford to skirt the former, which is why he had donned the Stone Mask, but he needed to confront the latter. He dismounted Epona in a niche in the surrounding stone walls, walked up and around the Gerudo standing guard at the gate and made for the latter that led up the tower behind her. Apparently the Stone Mask was just as effective on Gerudo as it was on Pirates, for the Gerudo guard took no notice as Link practically walked right by her and began to ascend the ladder, cradling the bundle of sleeping Ruto in one arm as he did.

It may not be practical to carry a baby Zora while climbing a ladder, especially in a den of thieves, but Link didn't want to leave Ruto unattended if he could help it.

Soon enough he reached the top of the tower, where the lone gatekeeper stood sentinel over the only entrance to the Haunted Wasteland. With as much swiftness as he could muster, Link removed the Stone Mask, the Gerudo gatekeeper's eyes going wide as the magic that had been concealing him was dispelled, but before she could react Link took out the Gerudo Membership Card once again and held it up to her.

Her eyes widened in shock for a moment, then she raised an eyebrow as she looked down at him. "How did a little pipsqueak like you become a member of the Gerudo?"

"I don't have time to explain," said Link as he stored away the Gerudo Membership Card. It was only a matter of time before the other Gerudo guards noticed him up here and the last thing he needed at the moment was to be thrown into their holding cell. "I seek entry into the Haunted Wasteland and would like you to open the gate."

The gatekeeper let out a little chuckle at his request. "A little shrimp like you wants to enter the wastes? You don't know what you're saying, kid. The wastes are no place for a child such as you."

"I am aware of the enigmas and treacheries of the Haunted Wasteland, and they do not deter me," Link insisted. "And as a member of the Gerudo it's my right to request access to them."

"Even if you are somehow a member of our organization, and, by the Sacred Realm, I don't even want to know how that's possible, it'd still be unorthodox for me to allow you entry," said the gatekeeper, crossing her arms. "You're obviously an outsider and have no business in the Haunted Wasteland. It leads to the Spirit Temple, a place very sacred to the Gerudo. For all I know this could be part of a ploy to plunder the Spirit Temple."

Link had been expecting this kind of reaction. The only reason he hadn't had to deal with it when he first entered the Haunted Wasteland was due to being an adult at the time and having an appearance that could at least instill some degree of respect from others, and now that he had been returned to the body of a child it was expected to be treated as such. However, Link had something that might just turn the situation in his favor, one of the gifts Zelda had given to him to aid him on his quest.

"Then, as one Gerudo to another I offer you this gift in exchange for access to the Haunted Wasteland," said Link, producing a sizable wallet and showing its open flap to the Gerudo gatekeeper. She looked confused for a second then her eyes gleamed as the contents of the wallet sparkled in her eyes .

"Gold rupees!" she wheezed in astonishment.

"All yours, if you open the gate for me," Link said honestly.

The Gerudo gatekeeper hesitated only for a moment before clapping her hands and hollering to the Gerudo below, "Lift the gate!"

"What? Why?" shouted the guard below. "There's no one here that needs to access the Wastelands!

"Let's do it to test the condition of the gate! It's been a while since it was raised.."

Whether the guard agreed or not was never revealed, but the gate was lifted. The Gerudo gatekeeper found a wallet full of gold rupees thrown into her hands, but when she looked around the Hylian boy was nowhere to be seen. It was like he had vanished.

—

After having donned the Stone Mask once more, Link had jumped off the tower, hit the ground rolling, went back over to Epona, mounted her, and rode through the open gate into the Haunted Wasteland. He looked over his shoulder at the retreating fortress, none of the residents having noticed him enter the wastelands. The Gerudo may have their own code of conduct but they were still thieves, and thieves always made a profit wherever they could.

"Some things never change," he commented to himself as he, Epona and Ruto, who was still slumbering contently despite Link's acrobatics while holding her, were swallowed from sight by a mighty sandstorm that suddenly billowed into existence.