The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The stables were made of plywood and cloth that was draped over the sides. She almost didn’t want to go in for fear of it collapsing on her but followed him in anyways. It had that barn animal smell which she remembered from going to petting zoos at the renaissance festival. It was a mixture of earth, hay, and animal droppings. It didn’t really bother her though. She had grown up in the country where their kind neighbor who owned livestock would let them visit and look at the cows and baby chickens when they were delivered. There were many horses in here. She counted about twenty of them not including Ganon’s horse. She figured Armos would probably saddle the first few horses he came to but he kept walking towards the back. He stopped at the black horse in the back. Ganondorf’s horse. “Hey there old friend.” he said rubbing the horses nose.” How do you feel about a run?”He asked it. The horse snorted in response. “That is what I thought.” he said smiling at it. “This…” He said turning to Melissa.”…is Trinexx.” Melissa approached the horse. It was the biggest horse she had ever seen. It towered over her. Its red eyes almost looked as if they glowed. Melissa reached out to pet him. “Careful!” Armos tried warning her. “ He only likes a few people. I don’t think…” He stopped when he realized Melissa had ignored him and was stroking the horses head. It had actually lowered it so that she could scratch behind its ears. It whickered softly at her. She didn’t know what Armos was talking about. Trinexx was a sweetie. Surprising since it was Ganon’s horse. Armos looked her over once again. “I have never seen him take to someone that fast before.” He said with a frown. “I have always been good with animals. “Melissa replied still rubbing the horse’s nose. “I see.” Armos said grabbing a saddle throwing it on Trinexx’s back. “What are you doing!?!?” She asked mortified. “This is Ganon’s horse. You can’t just take his horse out for a ride.” “He won’t mind.” Armos said continuing to buckle the saddle on. “Like hell he won’t!” She said getting angry. “Are you trying to get us in trouble?” Now she wasn’t so sure she should have followed him. Really Melissa had been hopeful that she would have been able to ride a horse on her own and loose him somewhere on this ride. Apparently it wasn't meant to be because this black horse was the only one he had decided to saddle. “I promise it will be fine. ”Armos reassured her as he jumped up upon Trinexx’s back with little effort. It was apparent that he had been around horses for a while. “Come.” he said holding his hand out to help pull her up. He didn’t even strain lifting her. He placed her in front of him and wrapped one arm around her. He gripped the reigns with his other hand. “Now to get him moving say this.” he said speaking a word she couldn't understand. She tried the word taking several times to pronounce it right with Armos chuckling and coaching her all the while. When she finally said it correctly Trinexx shot out of the stall and they raced across the desert. Armos’s hair flew behind him and the crescent moon hung above them as he spurred them faster. “Here!” he yelled over the wind pushing reigns into her hands making her heart leap. ”What!?! Wait!!! I don’t know about this.” She shouted back but her words were lost in the air rushing around them. They were going at a break neck speed and were heading towards a sort of canyon. She pulled on the reigns and the horse followed her tug. Was it really that simple? They galloped parallel to the canyon stars twinkling above them. Armos seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. His head tilted back laughing like a maniac. She had never felt so free and wild. His arms tightened around her waist as she had Trinexx jump a gap that split the sand. She was very aware of how close he was to her. She could feel Armos’s chest expanding and collapsing against her as he breathed. This wasn’t right. She found herself feeling guilty for taking pleasure in his company. She turned Trinexx back to the temple and once they got back to the stables she pulled the reigns back bringing the horse to a complete stop. Pulling Armos’s arms off of her she jumped down. “What’s wrong? He asked tilting his head to the side. “Nothing.” Melissa said sitting on a rock with her back facing him. He led Trinexx to a trough to drink and patted the horse’s side. “I thought you would be happier than this. ”He said with a disappointed look on his face. “Did you not enjoy the ride?” He asked confused as to why her mood had changed so suddenly. “I did…it’s just that…”She didn’t know how to finish her sentence. She didn’t deserve Jimmy she thought. What kind of fiancé would have gone on a moon lit horseback ride with a man who was really a complete stranger. She couldn’t understand why now of all times she was attracted to another men. At home she had never turned her head even when a man she might have considered good looking crossed in front of her. She was spoken for and so had no need to. She wasn’t like this. Melissa started to feel cold. It was late and the temperatures had lowered quite a bit. “I think I am going to go to bed now.” she said standing up brushing the sand off her pants. “You’re tired already?” He asked as he took the saddle back off Trinexx. “If you let me put Trinexx back up I can walk with you back to your room.”He offered. “Thanks but I think I can find it on my own.” She said with a half halfhearted smile. “Have I done something to offend you?” he asked unsure of what he could have done for her to be acting this way. She was a little disappointed she hadn't been able to leave tonight but she had enjoyed the ride. Armos seemed nice enough even if he had yelled at her impatiently all day. She didn't want him to think she was upset but she didn't quite know what to say to him. She just stood there facing the temple. “well I was hoping we could talk for just a little bit.” He said serious all of a sudden. “Talk about what?” She asked flatly. “Well there are rumors floating around.”He paused to choose his words wisely. “When you disappeared with our king.” She guessed maybe the gerudos hadn’t really forgotten about that day. They just couldn’t ask her themselves. “What about it?” Melissa said not thinking she would be getting this interview from him. “They said you meet one of our kings of old.” He pressed. She thought of the old ghost and their discussion. She didn’t trust Armos enough to tell him the whole truth… at least not yet. “So?” She asked pretending this subject didn’t bother her. “Well what did he say?” He asked urgency creeping into his voice. “I don’t know why you would want to know that.” Melissa said dancing around the subject. He walked around to her front and lifted her head trying to read her face and Melissa turned her head away from his grip. It wouldn't hurt to tell him a little but should she? The look he was giving her let her know he wasn't going to drop the matter so easily. “Ok if you must know… He told me the history of the Gerudo people.”She stopped there. “What about our history?” He asked trying to hide his impatience. “Well he said this land used to be lush compared to the desert it is today. Something about an evil Wizard named Agahnim putting a curse on this land. Also something About Agahnim tricking him into sending my many great grandma away. Is that all you wanted to know?” She said keeping the other parts to herself. “Really?” He said a look of disappointment clearly visible. “What more do you want?” she asked. “Did he mention a sword at all?” He asked hopeful. “ No.” she lied. “Nothing about a sword. I know Ganon was looking for it the other day but why would you want to know?” He looked angry now. “Where could it be?” Armos started talking to himself pacing. He wasn’t even remotely interested in any of the other things she had said. For some reason Melissa was starting to get the impression that the whole evening had been a ploy to get her to trust him enough to divulge what she knew. She didn’t really think he thought she was pretty. He was just trying to flirt to get answers. She truly didn’t know a thing about the man yet a little more flattery and he might have gotten all the information he wanted. She felt ashamed to have fallen for such a ploy. She just left him to pace. He didn’t even realize she had left. She went to her room and decided that tomorrow what ever happened she wasn’t taking classes with him anymore.