The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 20 ( Chapter 20 )

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

It took a few hard days ride to make it halfway there. They had been sleeping under the stars but they finally reached a village. It was big and looked to have a lot of wealthy people living there. They didn't think they would be able to afford to stay at any of the hotels there but Melissa wanted a bath so much. She was used to taking one every day before getting to this world. Ganon didn't see why it bothered her so much. He of course was used to traveling without having to stop. Rinsing off in the lake they found along the way hadn't really helped much. She eventually convinced him that they could use some of the pieces from the outfit she ruined to get a room. “ That's what I get for taking a woman with me.” He joked with her. He seemed in good spirits lately. Cracking jokes and telling her stories of when he was younger. He hadn't had it easy at all. Melissa found herself feeling sorry for his lack of a childhood. They got a room at the cheapest place they could find once again pretending to be on honeymoon. To their amazement it actually got them a discount. Apparently this city was a popular place for couples who were just married and was renound for being the city of Love. Even though this hotel was cheep the room was very nice. Melissa decided once she got done with her bath she would change her outfit. She dug through the bag looking for one that wouldn't attract too much attention. Melissa had been wearing a red one but the dirt had made it look a rusty brown color. The one she held was that beautiful shade of green her first outfit had been. The back of it was open. Perfect if she wanted to use her wings she thought. It was actually very plain. Why hadn't she seen this one before she thought. The only fancy thing about this one was the red sash that tied around the middle. The sash looked to be silk and embroidered with red beads and gold thread. Charms in the shape of golden triangles dangled from the ends. It looked very nomadic she thought. Ganon had went to see about putting Trinexx up for the night so she decided now was the best time to get a bath. She hoped he would be gone long enough for her to finish. She soaked in the tub enjoying the hot water. It soothed her aching muscles. She wasn't used to riding so it hurt to do so for the long periods. The day was still early so maybe they could see what the city was like before they moved on tomorrow. She had plenty of time to dry off and get dressed before Ganon got back. She pulled her hair back into a pony tail while letting her bangs fall around her face. She stood in front of the mirror. Even though she had just spent a week or so in the desert she was still pale. Her genetics just wouldn't allow her to tan at all. She was more surprised though that the sun hadn't burnt her to a crisp. She sighed turning this way and that before sitting down to wait for Ganon. He returned shortly after. He smiled when he saw that she was wearing one of the outfits and hadn't torn it up for once. “So would you like to explore the town?” he asked like he had read her mind. She was excited to do something relaxing for a change and they walked the streets. The buildings were so grand. There was gardens and fountains everywhere. Couples were walking hand in hand everywhere. She blushed when Ganon took her hand in his as they walked. They stopped for a while by a particularly large fountain. It had a statue of a fairy on the top. Water pored from it's eyes. Couples were tossing rupees in and Melissa guessed it was either for good luck or wishing. Ganon smiled at her as he threw a rupee in. This was nice. Just pretending nothing was wrong or that she wasn't really walking around with the Dark King of the Gerudo. Would this be considered a date? She didn't want to think about it. It would only make her feel guilty again. She pushed it to the back of her mind as they entered the market next. There was a lot of booths meant for tourists there. They passed a florist booth and Melissa had to stop and look at the flowers. “I worked at a florist shop back home.” She told him. “I mostly drove the delivery vehicle but when we we were really busy they would let me do arrangement between driving. I don't recognize any of the flowers here except the rose and the one that looks like a double headed lily.” She said inspecting the different blooms. They must be pretty common to be in both worlds she thought. Ganon picked up the one that resembled a lily. It was deep crimson in color that faded to a deep purple. It was such an unusual color for a lily. “This...” he said coming to her side, ”...is a desert lily. One of the few flowers that bloom in the Gerudo Desert.” He placed it behind her ear. “It suits you.” He said giving the vendor a green rupee. She hated to admit it but she was enjoying his company a lot today. “So you worked with flowers. It seems fitting.” he said with a little laugh. “ I enjoyed it till the economy went to hell.” Melissa responded. “Flowers are a frivolous item. People don't use florists hardly anymore. I hardly have any work hours anymore.” She started walking again and he followed.” Same thing is going on where Jimmy works. He repairs watches and Jewelry is another one that is going under. We barely make ends meat.”She said looking sad at the next booth. “So you are poor?” He asked with an understanding look. “ Well I wouldn't say poor. As long as we can pay rent on our apartment and afford to eat it's okay.” She said picking up an ornamental dagger examining it. “If you were to give up on returning you would never have to worry about that again.” He said still trying to convince her. She felt bad for it but liked the fact he was still trying. Almost flattered. “This is very pretty.” She said showing the dagger to him trying to change the subject but he gave her a look and she knew he wasn't going to be distracted so easily. “It doesn't really matter that we have no money.” she said with a sigh. ”As long as we have each other I am happy.” She said thinking of Jimmy again. Ganon gave her a sad look. “ This man...,” He said stopping, ”He's very lucky to have found someone so devoted.” She couldn't see his face anymore. He had let go of her hand and was standing with his back to her. “You okay?” she asked reaching out to him. “Oh I'm fine.” He said turning around giving her a dashing smile. That was totally unlike him. Was he hiding something? They stopped at a quaint little restaurant. It had fair prices so Melissa didn't feel as bad with him paying for her food. “ I really need to find a way to help out. I feel bad you pay for everything. I'm used to paying at least half of everything at home.” Melissa admitted as they waited for their drinks. “Well we will figure out a way for you to pay me back later.” He said with a smirk. Melissa just rolled her eyes. Just then the lady brought him his ale and her some of that cactus juice she had at the temple. “You actually like it?” He asked surprised. ” I do.” she said taking a sip.” We had a drink like this back home. They stopped making it after a while though. It always tasted like apples to me.” He nodded. They split a meal this time. Melissa wasn't really hungry today and he seemed to have no problem with it. She noticed he didn't drink as much this time. “Your acting funny.” Melissa commented. “What do you mean?” He asked raising an eyebrow. “The Ganondorf I know of isn't like this at all.” she said bluntly. “ Then you don't really know me.” He growled startling her. ” Is nothing good enough for you? How would you have me act?” He said frustrated. “I'm sorry.” She said looking ashamed for even bringing it up.” I meant no harm. You are just being so nice to me. I know the stories and I know how you acted when we first met. I truly don't know which is the real you. It's kind of confusing me.” He looked thoughtfully at her but didn't say anything. “I am having a good time with you.” She said trying to fix the mess her comment had made. “I like this side of you but if your just pretending I would rather you be truthful. Just be yourself.” “ You don't want me to be myself.” He said still looking away. “Sure I do! I don't want a fabricated you. You should like a person for who they are. For their good, their bad, their strengths, and their weaknesses. No one is perfect.” She said with a smile. He looked at her funny. “What no one has ever told you that before?” she asked. They sat there awkwardly for a little bit before he got up. “I'm going to go pay. Stay here.” He ordered. She sat there for a while but he didn't come back. She looked around. She didn't see him anywhere. Did he ditch her? After a while she got up. And looked out the window. Where was he? She started humming and singing to herself as she waited. “You have a pretty good voice.” said someone behind her. She turned around to see her first Zora. He was one of those who looked more like a puffer fish. “I'm sorry to startle you, but I over heard you and had to introduce my self.” He bowed to her. “ I am the manager of the music group The Indigo-Go's. Maybe you have heard of them?”He said pointing to the stage where she saw some more Zora's setting up the stage. “I have heard of you.” She said wondering why he was even talking to her. Shouldn't he be busy with the band? “Thank you for the complement.” She said bowing back to be polite. “I'm not that good though. All I did was hum.” She said being humble. “Your probably wondering why I am talking to you.” He said looking nervous. “You see our lead singer has a cold and so we are going to have to do this performance without her. I was wondering if you might be able to fill in for her?” He asked pleading. “I don't really know any of the song good enough to sing them.” she said apologeticly. “ That's okay.” He said with a smile. “All you need do is sing the melody of any song you know well to the boys and they will be able to play it no problem.” He said smiling. Melissa didn't think she could sing in front of an audience with a group as famous as the Indigo- Go's. “I'm not good with crowds. Plus I should be looking for my friend who has apparently left me high and dry.” she said getting angry that he had done this to her. Well she had told him to be himself she thought. She was getting what she deserved for trusting him. “It's not that bad. You won't even see the crowd when the lights are on you. You would get a percentage of the cut if that helps.” He said still trying to convince her. She thought about it. “Well if he has left me I guess I am going to need some money to live off of.” She said really hoping he had only stepped out for air or something. “That's the spirit! “ The Zora said happily. He led her over to the group. The manager introduced her and informed them there would be a change of music. They had a little while to practice before the performance. Melissa sang the melody portions of her favorite songs and they played them easily. “Where are these songs from?” the one on bass asked. His name was Mikou she thought. “They are popular where I am from.” Melissa said trying not to reveal where exactly that was. “Your weird looking for a hylian. “said the drummer and Melissa went to cover her ears. She had forgot that she was different. Mikou moved her hands. “Don't worry about your ears. No one will even notice when your up there with us.” She nodded and let her hands fall back to her sides. “You ready?” the manager asked peaking his head around into the practice room. Everyone got up and headed to the stage. Melissa hesitated in the door. “It will be fine.” the Manager said pushing her through to the stage. She didn't know how much time had passed but she could see it was dark outside through the windows. On the stage she could still see the crowd. The manager had lied but it was to late to go now the band started playing and she was going to have to sing. They went through a whole bunch of songs. She sang songs like “The Willow Maid” by Kate Covington to more modern pieces like “Help I'm Alive” by Metric. As they finished the last song there Ganon showed back up. He walked through the door and looked as though he was worried. He seemed to be franticly searching the crowd. Was he searching for her? She was still kind of angry at him but she wondered if she should shout to him. The crowd was demanding an encore so she had no time to. They made her huddle with them to discuss the next song. “What can we do?” They asked her. One song popped into her head. She didn't even know why. It was the song “Savior” by a group called “Light”. She hummed it and once again they picked it up fast. She scanned the crowed as the music started he was still there searching. When she started he stared wide eyed at the stage. The night is deafening when the silence is listening
And I´m down on my knees and I know that something is missing.
Because the back of my mind is holding things I´m relying in
But I choose to ignore it because I´m always denying them.

I´m a bit of a manic when it´s not as I plan it
Cause I start losing my head and then I get up in a panic
Remember when we were kids and always knew when to quit it
Are we denying a crisis or are we scared of admitting it?

I don´t want to know

I just want to run to you
And break off the chains and throw them away
I just want to be so much
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust
Sooner than later I'll need a savior
I'll need a savior

It won´t ever change if you want it to stay the same
I really hate it but I know it´s hard to choose if you´re chained
And when it´s all you control cause you´ve got nothing less to hold
You´re getting tighter and tighter it´s getting harder to let it go

I don´t want to know

Stand me up and maybe I won´t be so small
Free my hands and feet and maybe I won´t always fall...
Save me


He just watched her sing. He looked so relieved to see her. She felt the same way to see him. She didn't even wait for the end of the song she ran down before she got trapped up there again. She threw her arms around his neck tears falling. She she sang to him now. He was the only one that mattered to her in the room.


I just want to run to you
And break off the chains and throw them away
I just want to be so much
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust
Sooner than later I'll need a savior
I'll need a savior She finished and he held her as the crowd just cheered for the band on stage. “It's ok now.” He said wiping the tears from her eyes. “ Where were you!” she demanded upset he had left her like that. “I needed some air.” he said flatly. “I told you to stay and when I got back I couldn't find you.” He had apparently went back to the hotel thinking she had left but when he didn't find her there he came back. “You should have told me.” she said upset. “I was here the whole time waiting on you before they convinced me to fill in for their sick singer.” The manager approached them and handed Melissa a big bag of what she guessed were rupees. “Because of you we made a good bit tonight. I'm glad that you found your friend.” he said happily but abruptly turned giving Ganon the eye. “You ought to keep better care of her.” the Zora said to him. Ganon just returned his glare. “ Anyways,” the zora said turning back to her, “Feel free to sing with us again. I would love to hear you sing with Lulu sometime.” Melissa thought of something. “How is Zora's domain?”She asked curios. “They say no one has heard from anyone there in a while.” “We travel so much we don't make it home as much as we should.” he replied. “I'm afraid we haven't heard anything either.” He said with a worried look on his face. “We don't usually allow many visitors but you are welcome anytime.” He said with a smile.”To get past the waterfall sing this.” He said and then started to sing something reminiscent of the serenade of water. “Thank you I am honored.” Melissa said with a bow. When the zora left the Melissa couldn't help but sing the “DA da da Da!” that always would accompany finding an item. She laughed when Ganon gave her a strange look. She tried to explain it to him but he just shook his head. “Let's go back and get some rest.” he said looking worn out and she gladly followed him back.