The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 35 ( Chapter 35 )

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

Melissa didn't remember much of the days to follow. She would wake and shortly after drift back to sleep. Sometimes she would see people or zoras around her. Other times it was just Ganon holding her hand. Sometimes she could just hear talking. Someone had been arguing once or twice. On occasion they would prop her up and pour a disgusting bitter liquid down her throat. One time when she was all alone she swore she had seen a white mist hover over her but she went under again before she could make sense of it. By the time she regained full consciousness she had no idea of how long she had been there. She sat up feeling weak. No one was in the room at the time and she felt utterly alone. She could see that Ganon had been sleeping in the room with her. A chair sat by her bed and his saddle bags lay beside it. Some of his things were strewn around the room making her laugh. He was turning this place into a copy of his messy room at the temple. Her stomach let out a growl. She was so hungry. She wondered if she should get up. Pulling herself to the edge of the bed she let her legs dangle over the side. She felt so stiff. Stretching her arms and legs trying to get the tingling sensations to stop she noticed her arm was now bandaged. She resisted the urge to undo the wrappings even though it was itchy. Instead she decided to try and stand. Big mistake. Her legs buckled under her feeling like rubber. Strong arms caught her saving her knees from slamming hard against the floor and she was placed back on the bed carefully. “You shouldn't be getting up yet.” Ganondorf said looking cross. He had entered the room just in time. “ What happened?” She croaked. Her throat felt so dry. “You were poisoned by the creature that gave you that wound.” He looked a little angry. Was he mad at her? “I didn't know they had that ability. They didn't do that in the game.” She thought out loud. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Game? Our lives are not a game. You are lucky you didn't die. Rutulla rushed you here as fast as she could swim.” He said holding her hand. Melissa was grateful to the Zora. She would have to thank her when she could. “What happened to Link and Heather?” She asked remembering the fight she and the girl had. “They moved on already. There was news of the wizard making a move on the Shadow Temple so they went to get the piece of the triforce. Good riddance to them. Just one less temple to visit.” He said anger intensifying in his eyes as he talked about them. Melissa would have loved to see Heather at the shadow temple being chased by re-dead. She was even happier that they wouldn't have go there next. Had Link and Heather gotten the piece? Was that why she had seen the white mist? That just brought another question to mind. Why was she seeing it here? She must have just imagined it. That was the only explanation. “Why do you look so angry? Did I do something?” she finally asked him. “You did nothing wrong. I am more furious that Mr. Hero did not do his job. You shouldn't have been allowed to go alone.” He said masking his face to keep her from worrying. His facade didn't quite make it to his eyes though. She figured it best not to tell him that Link had been with her when she had gotten grabbed. It might just make him angrier. “How long have I been out? She asked not sure she wanted to know the answer. “Just a few days.” He said squeezing her hand. He looked tired to her. Had he slept at all? She tried to sit up but pushed her back down. “Stop that.” she said smacking his hand away. “I know you have been asleep for three days but you just woke up. Don't over do it. You need to rest.” He said giving her a stern look. “Well you look like you could use more rest than me.” Melissa said irritated. “Don't worry about me. I am fine.” He said sitting down and propping his head on his fist. “Can I at least get something to eat?” She asked . “I will get you something. Don't get up. I will be right back.” he said eyes softening with a sigh. With that he left her again. Melissa didn't like being confined to bed but she was more worried about Ganon. She was definitely going to make him rest when he got back if she could. She didn't have to wait long before he came back. She wasn't a big fan of eating fish or any other seafood but he had gone through the trouble of finding her something so she would eat it without complaints. “So what did you end up doing while we were gone?” she asked in between bites. He smiled and held up his finger for her to wait. He searched through his bag by the chair. “I made this with the materials Darunia gave me. It will keep the wizard out of your mind if for some reason we get separated.” He told her fastening whatever it was around her neck. Melissa remembered the pouch the goron had handed him before they had left. She looked down and held up the charm he had made which hung on a thick rope string. He had obviously spent a great deal of time on it. The charm was circular and he had carved a symbol she recognized from the back of his cape. “What does the symbol mean?” she asked already treasuring the gift. “It is the symbol of our people.” He smiled noticing her admiring it. He looked proud of his handy work. After a while he yawned and Melissa put the plate to the side. “Are you sure I can't try to get up or sit in the chair so you can have the bed to sleep?” She asked knowing he was waring himself down for no reason. “Do I really look that tired?” He sighed again. Melissa nodded. “It's probably the spell. Don't worry about me just concentrate on getting better.” He said sinking back into the chair. At that point a zora came in with a cup of something for her. “Your awake! King Ralis will be pleased to hear of your recovery.” The zora said trying to hand her the cup. “What is this?” Melissa said turning her nose up at the nasty smelling liquid. It had a thickness to it and a blackish color that made her think of pond scum. “This is medicine. You need to drink it to get better.” The zora insisted. “I think I rather not.” Melissa said pushing it away. “It would be better if you took it.” Ganon said sternly from the chair with his eyes closed. “Well I don't want to.” Melissa said feeling like a child. “I wasn't asking.” Ganon growled opening his eyes wearily. The zora could see the fight to come and was more than happy to leave the cup on the bedside table. She left with a bow leaving them alone again. “Any other Gerudo who would disobey my orders as much as you would be severely punished or even killed. Why do you test my patience?” He got up to sit on the bed next to her. “ Maybe it just means I feel comfortable around you. I didn't grow up a gerudo you know. Why do you put up with it if it bothers you so much?” She said looking away from him. “ I put up with it out of love for you but do not think I will allow you to do so when it affects your health.” He said bluntly. Had he just said Love?!?! “You don't mean that.” She said softly. Part of her hoped he wouldn't hear her but another part of her prayed he would. She needed conformation that she wasn't just hearing things. “I don't mean what? That I might punish you or that I love you?” He chuckled lifting her head to try and force her to drink the contents of the cup. She remembered this stuff from when she had been out of it and she didn't feel like taking anymore. If he wanted her to take it she wasn't going to make it easy. He fought with her arms for a second before having to put the cup back down to grab them. “Why don't you drink it if you want it gone so bad.” she said staring him down. She saw a light bulb turn on in his eyes. Crap she had just given him an idea and though she couldn't tell what he was thinking she didn't think she would like it. Switching both her arms to one hand he grabbed the cup again. Melissa clinched her jaw shut but he just smiled. What was he up to? Melissa's mouth dropped open in shock when he drank the medicine himself. Placing his hand behind her head he went to kiss her. She knew better though. He was probably hiding the stuff in his mouth and was going to force her to drink it that way. She had to give him points for not gagging on the stuff though. When she refused to kiss back or open her mouth he used his tongue pry her mouth open. The liquid was just as bitter as she had remembered. She wanted to spit it out but he wouldn't move from her lips. She had no choice but to swallow. It was either that or gag to death. Even after giving in to him he didn't release her. His kiss only intensified. He let his tongue search her mouth. Should she kiss back? Was it wrong that she wanted to? Her heart pounded in her chest as he ran his hand through her hair and clenched it in his fist pulling her closer to him. She closed her eyes trying to clear the doubts in her mind. How far would she let him go this time? She slid her arms around him which only seemed to encourage him. He moved his hand down her face and stopped when he felt the tears that even she hadn't know she was crying on her cheek. “What's wrong? Are you not enjoying yourself?” He asked confused. “Minus the medicine maybe.” she said with a shy smile. “So your actually admitting it this time?” he said wiping her eyes with a grin. “ I'm not admitting anything.” She said teasingly. “It's to late to hide it from me.” He said wrapping her in an embrace, going to kiss her again. She stopped him. Her heart pounding wildly. “I... I need some air.” She said pushing him off of her, somehow finding a way to steady herself as she stood up. She ran from the room leaving Ganon with a confused look on his face but he wasn't the only one confused now. Melissa realized she had been falling for him. How could she have let this happen?