The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 32 ( Chapter 32 )

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

They had been led to a room that looked to be her dream bathroom. The floor had the same pebble mosaic as outside had and in the middle was an in ground bath tub that looked more like a pool than for bathing. The mosaic of the triforce covered the bottom of the tub. A mural of the sea had been painted on the walls. Sconces that seemed to be made out of shells held candles that burned with a blue flame. A long decorative mirror stretched across the wall. It was absolutely beautiful and the two of them stood in awe of the room. “ So exactly how do they expect us to wash up? There is no soap or anything. Heather complained looking around. Melissa just rolled her eyes pulling out from her satchel the soap she had left from her last bath. “I don't think they need soap.” Melissa said shaking the bottle in front of Heather. “So do you want to take turns? I can look away while you bathe first.” Melissa asked. “I just planed to bathe in my undies.” Heather said already stripping. “I guess that could work to but I would prefer to wash without them so they aren't wet all day.” Melissa said handing her the soap. “So how did you wake up in this world?” She asked Heather trying to learn a little about this girl hoping maybe there was a reason for her bad attitude. Heather seemed surprised that she wanted to know. “Well I woke up in the middle of a forest. I had no clue where I was. Searching the forest I ran into monsters who chased me right to Link. He saved me of course. We couldn't speak to each other at first but luckily he was on his way to see Princess Zelda who fixed that. She told us of what was going on and sent us on a quest. Right after that her and her guardian got zapped by that evil wizard and we fled the castle. We went in search of you guys but decided to go to Death Mountain on the way finding nothing and eventually we ran into you.” Heather rattled on. “How about you? How did you run into big, dark, and scary?” Heather asked rinsing her hair out. “Well I woke up in the middle of the desert where the gerudo's and hylian knights were waging full on war. Koume and Kotake found me watching and had one of the warriors drag me to the temple and lock me in a room. Just like you, I couldn't understand hylian. Strangely enough what we consider English is actually the ancient gerudo language. It didn't help much because only Ganon, the witch twins, and my friend Chara could speak it. I had to learn hylian.”Melissa said hoping the gerudo were okay. “Your turn. Promise I won't look.” Heather said interrupting her story. “Oh ok.” Melissa said ready to take her turn. “So were you scared when you first met him?” Heather asked. Melissa thought about it before she replied. “He was scary to me at first but he's not as bad as you think. He's changed a lot since the first day we met.” Melissa said knowing no matter what she said Heather would always have preconceived notions of the man she traveled with. The water felt cold which was probably why it hadn't taken Heather long to wash. Melissa hurried then grabbed a towel that the zora had left for them. She thought it strange for zoras to have towels when they didn't really need to dry off themselves. “Poor girl. He has you fooled. Ganon will always be a baddie no matter what.” Heather said combing out her hair in the mirror. Melissa resisted the urge to start another fight. It didn't really matter what Heather thought. Melissa could see the good in Ganon even if everyone else couldn't. That thought surprised her. She really could see some good in him. When had that happened? She hopped it was real and not him tricking her. Melissa guessed she would just have to have faith. Melissa dried off and put her clothes back on. On the counter in front of the mirror there were two brushes set out for them. Another thing that would be considered odd for a zora to have due to their lack of hair. Melissa brushed out her hair which seemed to have grown a little since they started this crazy adventure. She hoped she could get it back to it's original length again. Melissa put her hair back so that it would dry without dripping on her shoulders. She wondered if Ganon and Link were explaining everything to the Rutulla. Would Ganon tell her who he was? If he did it might keep them from being let into the temple. She guessed she shouldn't worry about it though. What ever happened it always seemed to work out. When they were finished they exited the bathroom and followed another escort back to the main chamber and down the hall Link and Ganon had disappeared. The hall led down to where a lake filled the bottom. There were stone walkways that crossed the surface. She could see homes made of what she could only guess were giant shells of blue and pinkish hues. She wondered what creature was big enough to have a shell that size. Some of the homes were above ground but a good majority of them she could see were underwater. A few Zoras swam lazily under them as they traversed the walkways. One surfaced a little ways away from them to curiously watch them pass. A singing could be heard bubbling up from below. Standing stones poked up through the water and the symbols carved upon them glowed faintly. This place felt enchanted and peaceful to her. Making it to the other side they walked through a decorative archway that lead to what she guessed was the zora throne room. Rutulla sat beside who she figured was the ruler of the Zoras. As they entered they were instructed to bow. After doing so Melissa returned to Ganon's side. He had a serious look on his face and Melissa wondered if something had happened. “So these are your guardians? I welcome you to our home. My name is King Ralis.” The slender zora sitting beside Rutulla said bowing his head to them. “I thank you for aiding this land in our time of need. We have debated and have come to the decision that the three of you shall be allowed to enter the temple.” King Ralis said filling them in on the conversation so far. “What does he mean three? Doesn't he mean four?” Melissa whispered to Ganon who remained silent. “We shall help you the best we can and supply you with the means to traverse the temple.” Rutulla continued. “What do you mean three?” Melissa finally said a little louder interrupting the sage upset because Ganon wouldn't answer her. They all looked at her and she instantly regretted being so impolite. “Your companion can't swim so it is best if he stays here.” Rutulla said trying to continue. “But I don't want to go with out him.” Melissa said worried. Ganon grabbed her shoulder. “We will talk about this later.” “No. We should talk about this now. ” Melissa said upset. How could he let her go to the temple without him. “I'm afraid this isn't up for discussion.” Rutulla butted in but she just ignored her. “I could teach you to swim. It's not that hard.” Melissa said desperately. “You haven't the time to teach me. It will be okay. You will have the hero with you.” He said making her look him in the eyes. “But I can't go without you.” She pleaded. He just laughed softly to her. “I am quite flattered but I know you have more courage than this. I will be here waiting for you when you return. Now hush and listen.” He advised her. Not that she didn't trust Link to keep her safe but she figured he would have enough problems just watching over Heather. If the wizard showed up would Link be able to handle him? “Where was I?” Rutulla said looking annoyed. “Oh yes now I remember. We will supply you each with a tunic that should allow you to breath under water. I will guide you through the temple the best I can but we haven't entered in a long time so I am not sure what we will find. The worst we may run into are the biri or shell blades that have always made a home of the temple.” “I know what shell blades are but what are biri?” Heather asked not quite remembering the monsters from the game. “I think they are the ones that look like jellyfish. If you touch them they shock you.” Melissa said remembering the annoying creatures from jabu jabu's belly dungeon. The jellyfish were always in the way and you couldn't kill them unless you had the boomerang. She wondered if they were vulnerable to fire. She would have to try if she ran into any. “Oh those things. I always hated going through Jabu Jabu.” Heather admitted. “Me to. It always seemed one of the creepiest dungeons. Right up there with the shadow temple.” Melissa said surprised to find some common ground with the girl. “When were you near Lord Jabu Jabu?” King Ralis said mortified not understanding they were talking about the game. They didn't even bother to explain. “When do we go?” Link asked. “As soon as you are ready.” Rutulla replied. “Alrighty then let's go!” Heather said. Melissa didn't feel quite as enthusiastic. “Follow me then.” Rutulla said standing up. Everyone but Ganondorf bowed respectfully to the Ralis before exiting. Instead he nodded and she guessed kings didn't bow to other kings. Melissa felt nervous as they walked back they way they had came. She didn't know if Ganon had noticed but he took her hand and held it as they walked. They stopped in front of another archway that led to a pool of deep water. Three tunics lay waiting for them. “Just put them on over your regular clothes.” Rutulla instructed. Links tunic seemed to fit snugly to him where Heather's and her own seemed to be fit them like a bag. How were these supposed to help them breath? There was nothing to cover there faces at all. “I don't know about this. Do I have to go?” Melissa said unsure. “You showed me how brave you were at Death Mountain. What happened to the girl who entered the Fire Temple even though you were ordered to stay put, that even though she was scared showed herself to the wizard, and helped me defeat a giant monster. There is more to you than even you realize.” Ganon said trying to instill courage in her. “But that was because I knew you were there.” Melissa argued. He sighed putting his hand to her face. She could hear Heather making gagging noises. Did she have to be so rude right in front of everyone? Melissa saw a look of anger cross his face. He started to turn toward the girl but Melissa didn't want another fight like earlier to break out so she did the only thing she could think of. Grabbing his face and bring it back to her she got on her tip toes and kissed him. He pulled her into him with force placing his hand behind her head so that there was no escape and held her to his lips longer. Her plan was only to give him a small peck but Ganondorf had changed that. She gave in more willingly than she thought she would. Her heart beat fast and her face got red. He smiled fondly at her as he let her pull away. “You better take good care of her hero.” Ganon said turning to Link. Heather's mouth hung open in shock and Link just nodded. “We should go now.” said Rutulla who somehow had missed what had just happened. The kiss only made her want to stay more. Link took her hand when she didn't move and coaxed her into the water. It was freezing. “ This is a shortcut back to Lake Hylia. The temple is located on the lake bed. Alright stay close behind me.” The zora said diving. Melissa was a little apprehensive about this but she felt she had no choice. Taking a deep breath she dove down following the others. As the water touched her face she felt something spread across it and go over her nose and mouth. She was confused for a second and felt for what ever it was and found it was the tunic its self. She wondered if she should risk a breath. She tried experimentally to find just air entering her lungs. The tunic must filter out the water she guessed. This was great! She didn't have to worry about drowning. She could stay under as long as she wanted. It was sad there hadn't been a tunic big enough for Ganon. He might have learned to swim if he had one of these. Someone grabbed her hand and pulled her forward with them. It was very dark in the underwater tunnel and she couldn't really see anyone clearly. The tunnel ended up at the bottom of the center island that held the building with the pulley cars. It had been Link who had pulled her through the tunnel. Heather had an irritated look in her eyes the only part of the girls face that was visible. She was probably jealous. “This way.” Rutulla said pointing to a structure that stood near the left side of the lake. Zoras must be able to talk under water but she didn't have time to think of how cool that was. They were already swimming to the temple without her. Her arms and legs were starting to get tired as she swam but she made it without having to stop. The temple was bigger than it had appeared and towered over them looking just as beautifully crafted as the inside of Zora's Domain. The entrance though was gated shut. Looking around she saw Rutulla standing in another mosaic of the triforce that seemed to keep reappearing. Rutulla began to sing Zelda's Lullaby. Her voice as sweet as a siren's echoed around them and Melissa swore for just a second she could hear the same voice from the Fire Temple joining the song. It blended into the zora's creating a beautiful harmony. No one else seemed to notice the extra voice. Was she really the only one who could hear it? She looked at Heather who seemed oblivious. That was just weird. The song finished and the familiar voice vanished. The gate opened and they swam through. What lay in wait for them was unknown.