Fan Fiction ❯ Professional Hero ❯ The bachelor party ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13 - The bachelor party

Five horses came racing over Tempora field. The riders halted just outside Clocktown and tied their horses to the posts near the southgate. The guard involuntarily gulped when he saw the five women walk into the square. They kindly asked the guard where the Stockpot inn was and after receiving the proper directions they left towards the inn. Just as he regained his posture, four Gorons came walking in.

"Ah, Darunia," Nabooru smiled, "I thought that was you I passed."

"Nabooru," Darunia showed a big smile, "how nice to see you again. You're also staying here?"

"Yes, Link recommended this place, and who are we to ignore the hero of time?"

Darunia laughed loud.

"Speaking of Link, where is he?"

"Link? He's at the Romani Ranch," Anju said, "he stays there with Romani."

"If you could give me directions to the ranch, I going to pay him a visit."

Anju hesitated for a second. Gerudo were ferocious pirates and Gorons… well… But they were friends of Link, so it would be alright, right?

"It's southwest from here." Anju said.

"And is my son with him?" Darunia asked, "The Goron, Link?"

"Oh, yes, he is, he's a very friendly boy."

"Hahaha, that's my boy." Darunia laughed and checked in. After they all got settled in their rooms, Darunia and Nabooru left to Romani Ranch.

Link was stacking hay in the barn when Nabooru and Darunia arrived at the ranch. Romani called him as she took care of Nabooru's horse. Link jumped down and took a can of water to wash the sweat away of his naked upper torso.

"So, got some tattoos?" Nabooru smiled as she saw Link's back.

On his right shoulder he had the complete Tri-force tattooed and on his left shoulder a sword pointing down with wings on the sides.

"I once used them before when I fought the Garos the last time I was in Tempora," Link said while he took his green shirt, "Romani liked them and I decided to tattoo them on my back."

"So tell us," Romani smiled as she wrapped her arms around her fiancée, "what's the news in Hyrule."

"Good news and bad news I'm afraid. Where's Link?" Nabooru asked.

"He's lifting weights in the back, I'll get him." Romani answered and left.

"Does the bad news concern him?" Link asked.

Nabooru shook her head.

"But the bad news concerns me." Link tried to grin.

"Probably." Was the only answer.

"What do you mean? I never knew bad news that could affect me. It always did, one way or the other."

"Then it will be the other."

Romani returned with the Goron boy who was glad to see his father again. Only a small gesture of Link restrained the boy from hugging his father.

"What's the bad news, Nabooru," Link insisted, "is it that fucked up stalker?"

"No, we think it's the Ganon faction. They have raided some caravans and even attacked Lon Lon Ranch once. But this… it doesn't seem like them."

"What?" Link was starting to lose his patience.

"A Zora and a Goron have gone missing."

"That's it?" Link was surprised.

"It is a great deal," Darunia was insulted, "I value all my Gorons equally and it pains my heart a lot if one of them disappears without a trace."

"Yes, I'm sorry," Link apologized sincerely, "it's just, I've grown accustom to far greater things than a vanished Goron or Zora, are you sure they haven't wandered off somewhere?"

"We have found no trace," Darunia said, a bit more relaxed, "not even a corpse." He added.

"I'm sure they'll turn up somewhere, and I doubt the Ganon faction is behind this, I mean, what would a bunch of Gerudo do with a Zora and a Goron?"

Nabooru's eyes narrowed.

"Sometimes you're very naïve, Link," she said with a calm voice, "don't forget that Twinrova was also Gerudo, and I know they had apprentices."

"You mean there are more of those witches?" Link thought for a second, "that would explain why Twinrova was in Holodrum and Labrynna after I killed her, them, her, whatever. It wasn't her, but somebody else."

"Maybe." Nabooru didn't sound convinced.

"But you're right, if the Ganon faction has witches, we must be careful. If anything comes up, let me know, I'll come back as soon as possible."

"You mean you're staying here?" Nabooru's eyes widened now.

"No, a few weeks after our wedding we return to Hyrule," Romani assured her, "but in case something happens before we are back."

"Anyway," Link clapped his hands together, "what's the good news, and how does it affect our young friend?"

"There's good news for me?" the boy asked with a smile on his face.

"For the entire Goron race," Darunia smiled broadly, "in a few months you'll be a big brother."

"I'm gonna have a baby brother or sister?" the Goron was stunned for a few seconds, "Awesome!"

Cheering sounds could be heard outside the Café Latté. Inside the noise was deafening. Link stood in the middle of the bar on a wooden table with an empty milk bottle in his hands. Round the table were the most of his friends, Darunia, Big Brother of the Gorons, Talon, owner of the Lon Lon Ranch, Makei, stable boy at the Lon Lon Ranch (and Malon's boyfriend), Ingo, also a stable boy at the Lon Lon Ranch and simpleton, Alexis, bodyguard and lover of Queen Zelda, (friendlier this time), King Zora, Kafei, owner of the Stockpot Inn, Mirel, the postman of Clocktown, Tasha, the owner of the curiosity shop, Yuri, the banker and a lot of other people, some even who came all the way from Labrynna and Holodrum (although Link seemed a bit surprised that Ralph hadn't come, I mean, he could act like a real jerk sometimes, but he was a good guy, Link thought). On stage the Indigo-go's were playing and milk passed around freely. Burt, the bartender at the milkbar was suddenly uncertain if he would have enough milk for all these people. Link was well known and well liked. The only reason why Link wasn't a legend in most parts is because legends are usually dead, and here he proved he was still alive and kicking. He had even heard that in other parts he was considered a myth. He felt great, he was 20 and already immortal.

"I'm Link!" he shouted, "the greatest hero ever lived! And I'm getting married the day after tomorrow!"

Everyone agreed loudly with this statement and raised their glass to toast to him.

This was it. After tonight only one day before the Festival of Time, one day before Link's wedding. While most couples would try to get the most of it, Link and Romani suited up and prepared for battle because it was tonight the things from outer space would return. Link hated to leave his friends behind in the milkbar but those ghost things were dangerous for the cows. Finally it was 2h30 and they rushed out of the barn, bows ready. Several quick shots ended the first invasion but there were many more to follow. Link took care of the left section of the ranch and Romani the right section. Needless to say none of the ghosts made it within 15 meters of the barn. But there were many and it was long before dawn. Both had to run to stop the ghosts and replenish their arrow supply. And Link couldn't shake that feeling that someone was watching him. This might seem justified when you're in the middle of a fight, but this wasn't it… it seemed… creepier. But everywhere he looked he could only see the ghost right before they vanished in thin air when his arrow hit them. Damn, did it take this long the first time? Link sighed as he tried to fight the fatigue and shoot straight. Hm, yesterday he was boasting how he was the greatest hero that ever lived and now he seemed to lack the stamina he had only a year ago. But he could do it, he only had to push until his limits and then push harder. He thought he saw something in the corner of his eye, but it wasn't a ghost so it was best to ignore it. It seemed like a flash and yes… now he could look. In the east the sun was rising and within seconds the ghosts disappeared, ready to emerge again in five years.

"We did it, Grasshopper." Romani laughed.

"Did you ever have a doubt?" Link grinned.

"To be honest, this is actually the first time I fought them, and I must say, it was harder than I imagined. I don't know how I would have done it without you."

"You would have done fine," Link kissed Romani softly, "you're a hero, like me."

Something wasn't right, he had that tingle in the back of his neck again. Link jumped back with Romani as a cloaked figure jumped down from the barn with a sword drawn. Link quickly shot of some arrows but the attacker easily knocked the arrows out of the way with his sword.

"Link, finally we meet again." The figure grinned and Link could see a curl of red hair coming from under his hood.

"Ralph?"

Ralph jumped forward and Link could barely jump out of the way.

"So, you remember me. And do you remember how you violated the woman I love?"

Fuck, he just knew that thing with Nyaru would come back to haunt him.

"Hey, she forced me. I had no other choice."

"And you expect me to believe that?" Ralph laughed, "please, how naïve do you think I am. You forced yourself upon her."

Ralph attacked again and barely missed Link again. Link reached down to his boot and took out the only weapon he carried besides his bow, the Kokiri sword. He could barely fence off Ralph's blows but managed to punch him in the face. He jumped up but Ralph recovered faster than expected and the sword scratched Link over the chest. Romani suddenly jumped up from behind Ralph and kicked him in the stomach and knocked him down.

"How dare you to attack the man I love," she shrieked, "if you don't quietly explain what this is all about I'm gonna kill you, you got that?"

Ralph looked up in Romani's face and grinned.

"Then you know how I feel."

"Romani," Link sighed, "this is Ralph, he was a good friend of Nayru, the Oracle of Ages…"

"The one who forced you to…"

"He's the one who forced her!" Ralph shouted.

"No, he's not," a lovely voice said.

Three heads turned in the direction of woman who spoke. Nayru stood there in a pale blue dress with a dark blue cloak.

"Nayru, what… what are you saying." Ralph whispered.

"What I always have been saying, Ralph, I'm the one that forced Link. I'm sorry, I know you love me, but I don't love you, I consider you as a brother, not a lover."

"But Nayru…"

"I'm sorry."

Ralph turned away and started to run. Man, this was bad, Link thought, sure the guy had bugged him sometime, but he was a good guy. Nayru hung her head.

"It's a shame, he was a good man and a good protector. I hope he will come to his senses soon." She said quietly.

"Oh my Goddess," Romani said in awe, "you're one of the Oracles? I'm honoured to have you here at my sisters ranch."

Nayru smiled, seemingly already forgotten about Ralph.

"Uhm, Nayru," Link stepped up, "this may be a bad time to ask you this, but I've heard a terrible danger will be threatening Hyrule soon, could you tell me what it is?"

"I can," Nayru grinned, a grin he didn't want to see now, "but you know the price."

"Wha…?"

"You mean that you will tell him if he has sex with you?" Romani's eyes narrowed and her voice seemed colder than the coldest wind on Snowhead.

Nayru just nodded while she still grinned and had her eyes fixed on Link. Slowly she advanced towards him until she suddenly had the tip of a sword under her chin.

"You touch my man, and you die." There was nothing left of the awe for the Oracle in Romani's voice.

"Very well," now it was Nayru's voice to grow cold, "then the only thing I can say is this: beware of your family, Link."

Then she was gone, she didn't dissolve in thin air or just vanished, she simply wasn't there anymore.

"Beware of my family? What did she mean?" Link thought aloud, "I don't have any family."

"Maybe she meant…" Romani putted her hands on her stomach.

"You mean…"

Romani nodded.

A loud laugh echoed over the ranch as Link picked up Romani and swirled her around in the air.

"This is fantastic!" Link shouted, "I'm getting married and becoming a father, this is superb."

Romani smiled and reached down to kiss him. Nothing could ruin their happiness now…

Epilogue:

"Love me like a brother, hah!" the man was running out of Milk Road, thinking where he could get enough alcohol to drown his sorrows and hatred.

"You sound like a man who's looking for revenge."

Ralph turned around and drew his sword. Link's blood still glistened on the tip.

"Who's there?"

Three Gerudo women stepped out of the shadows.

"First we planned to simply steal you sword, but maybe we can make a deal."

"What kind of deal?" Ralph asked as his eyes grew narrow, he had heard about the Gerudo's but not enough to be at ease.

"You give us the sword and we'll give you what you desire."

"I only desire Nayru."

"Then you will get her," the first Gerudo woman said, "wasn't she possessed a couple of years ago?"

"Yes," Ralph nodded, "but what has…"

"That means she is weak. Join us and we will give you control of her and the entire land of Labrynna."

"What? Are you mad?"

"Wait until you know who we represent." The woman smiled.

Ralph listened and after a long while thinking he left without his sword.