The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 38 ( Chapter 38 )

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

She woke to whispers. She almost hadn't heard them and drifted back to sleep snug against Ganon. She heard a twig snap and sat up alert in an instant. She could barely see over his arms “Quiet. Do you want to wake it and ruin the trap?” She heard a voice whisper somewhere in the trees. “ I didn't mean to.” Another voice replied. Melissa nudged Ganon and he stirred lazily unknowing of the hunters around them. “Crap it's awake!” A voice hissed. That got Ganon's attention. He got to his feet pulling her up with him and then nudging her to get to Trinexx who had wandered to the pool. “What do we do?!?” another voice asked. “These hunters must not be the brightest.” she thought. She didn't even think they had saw her yet. “Charge!” One yelled running out of his cover sword drawn only stopping when he saw her staring him down. His friends hadn't had the courage to follow him though. “There's a girl here!” He shouted shocked back to his mates who had yet to join him. The giant boar somehow forgotten. “What are you talking about?” Another man said coming out with a bow pointed at Ganon's head followed by a boy with a sling shot. They seemed like a raggle taggle group. “I see her Da. Right in front of the beast.” The boy said pointing at her. The man with the bow looked surprised but then squinted his eyes. “I recognize you from somewhere.” He said now pointing the bow at her. “Your the girl in the posters as well.” “She must be some sort of witch to be traveling with a monster like that!” The dumb one with the sword said looking her up and down. Melissa had never been called a witch before and didn't know if she liked they way they were eying her. She guessed Ganon didn't either because he let out a roar causing them to scatter. He nudged her again to get her moving. Running to the horse, she should have tied up, she felt so irresponsible. Ganon charged them making them run into the woods. “Wait!” she called as he followed them. What if they had placed snares or traps? As she ran Trinexx after them she heard another roar but she didn't know if it meant he was okay or not. “Hurry shoot it.” She heard one of them shout. Melissa panicked as she entered a clearing to see Ganon tangled in a net. The father was holding the bow to his head again. “Stop it!” She said jumping off of Trinexx to get between them. Flinging herself at the nets she set them on fire allowing Ganon's escape before the arrow struck. “You will regret that Witch!” the man said notching another arrow aiming it at her now. He released it but it never made it to her. She had put her arms up to shield herself and to her amazement the vegetation of the forest came alive shooting up in front of her much like the water did at the Spirit Temple. Vines whipped out from the trees behind her wrapping around the wrists and ankles of their attackers. It couldn't have been her causing this but the only one else here was Ganon and she had never witnessed him doing anything like this before. She couldn't read Ganon's face well, but he seemed to be just as surprised about this as she was. The wall of plants receded back into the earth showing the three hunters suspended in the air immobile. Vines began wrapping around their throats and waists choking and squeezing the air from them. She could see the boy turning blue and it made her afraid. “Stop it!” she whispered but the vines just wound tighter and tighter. “Please! Stop It!” She cried. At first she couldn't tell if anything was happening but slowly the vines retracted allowing the three to breath again. “Let us go Witch!” The man croaked at her. “I don't even know how I...” she whispered unsure what was going on. Ganon who now stood beside her gave her a nudge toward Trinexx. She stood frozen staring at the child. She could see color returning to the boy's face. Ganon just shook his head, grabbed her in his mouth, and lifted her onto the horse's back. Melissa just felt in a daze. She couldn't even think to spur Trinexx forward. Taking the horse's reigns in his mouth Ganon led them away. She could hear the hunters yelling at them as they ran off and then argue among themselves. After a bit Ganon didn't even have to guide the horse. Trinexx seemed to know to follow him even without directions from a rider. She just held onto Trin and the same picture of the boy being squeezed to death kept popping up in her head. She just wanted it all to go away. To go back to a time when this was simpler. She looked to Ganon leading the way wishing they could actually have a conversation at this very moment. For him to reassure her that it hadn't been her who had caused the vines to do what she had just witnessed. What she wouldn't give for him to be himself again. After a while she started to see familiar landmarks. They eventually came to the village they had stayed at the first day they had fled Gerudo valley. She gasped in surprise as they halted. The town had been burnt to the ground. What had happened here? “Is this Agahnim's doing?” she spoke aloud to herself. She saw no people nor animal left there. She hoped no one had been hurt and that they had just moved on to another town for refuge. Some buildings still stood but were badly chard. It was pretty much a ghost town. Ganon scouted the area while she led Trinexx to the shell of the tavern. Really it was the only reason she had recognized this place. Maybe there was food left. She doubted it but it was worth a look. The building creaked and seemed a little unstable. She entered praying it wouldn't collapse on her and found that the tables and chairs were blackened and burnt but still there. She walked back to the kitchen and miraculously it looked untouched by the fire. She search for anything they could eat but there was nothing that she could see anywhere. Her eyes then fell on a door. Could it be a pantry? As she approached it she noted that it had a lock holding it shut. The town hadn't looked like it suffered from thieves so why would anyone lock a pantry? She pulled on the lock seeing if it would come off but it wouldn't budge. “Is there someone there?” A voice came from behind the door making her jump. There was actually a person in there. She didn't know what to say so all she could do was reply with a meek “Yes.” The one word answer made her feel stupid. “Thank God! Do you think you could get the door open? We have been stuck in here for days.” The voice said sounding relieved. It sounded like a woman’s voice. “How many of you are there?” Melissa asked yanking on the door. “Just me and a few kids.” The woman replied. Melissa could only wonder who would have locked children in a burning building. She looked for anything to pry the door open with wishing she had a crowbar or even better a bolt cutter. Things she would probably never find in this kitchen. Maybe Ganon could get it open. “Wait right here I will be back.” She said as she ran to find him. He seemed to have noticed Trinexx by the tavern because he was walking her way. “Um I need help. There is a woman and some children locked up in the kitchen. I can't get the door open.” She called to him. He nodded and followed her back to the door. Luckily he could fit into the room but had problems squeezing through the door frame. She pointed to the door and he studied it for a second. Slipping a tusk under the lock he snapped it off which let the door swing open. The woman that she recognized as the waitress Telma and two children screamed and cowered against the back wall when they saw Ganondorf standing before them. Melissa could tell that Ganondorf remembered the woman who had insulted the Gerudo the night they had stopped here and once again he seemed to be taking pleasure in her fear. “Stop that!” she said elbowing him. He gave her a sort of smile before leaving her to explain why a giant monstrous boar had just freed them. They stared after him as he left. “Don't be scared. He won't hurt you.” Melissa said getting their attention. “It's ...It's you!” Telma said getting up giving her a hug. “I worried about you and your man when y’all left. Where is he and what was that beast doing with you?” Telma asked. “It's kind of a long story and the beast your referring to was him.” Melissa said not sure how much she should tell. “What? How? You must have run into the dark king of the thieves.” Telma said already making own version of the story before even listening to her. “Yes … I mean No... Well actually we had a run in with a wizard named Agahnim. He turned him into this monster.” That news made Telma stop. A serious look crossed her face. “That man came here looking for some people. A man and a woman.” she said eying her. Melissa stayed silent. Telma gave her a knowing look but did not pry. “When no one could tell him anything he searched the village. After that he labeled the people of this town traitors and ordered us locked into our homes. He then set fire to our buildings. He is supposed to be a knight of the Princess! How could she allow something like this to happen!” Telma said outraged. “Things are not what you think. Agahnim has taken over and the Princess has been locked up.” Melissa informed her. Telma looked alarmed at that. “Is that why he was after you? Because you know too much?” she asked but Melissa really didn't want to get into this. Too many questions led to revealing the truth about who her companion was. No one ever responded well when they found out who she was traveling with. Best leave it to the woman's own imagination. “ Who are your friends?” Melissa asked changing the subject. “Huh? Oh this is Talo.” She said pointing to the boy. “And this is Anju.” She said pointing to the little girl. “It's nice to meet you.”Melissa said giving them a smile. The little girl who was still clutching the boys arm just started crying. “Now what's this all about?” Telma said scooping the child up in her arms. “ Where is mama?” The little one sniffled. Melissa's heart sank realizing that this child and the boy might now be orphans. “Can we go look for her?” The boy asked. Telma nodded and the two took off. “Don't go too far now!” Telma yelled after them before turning back to her. “Did you see any other survivors?” The woman asked with an all business look now crossing her face. Melissa shook her head. “Most of the buildings are gone. Unless some were lucky like you I don't know.” Melissa said hoping for the sake of the children that their parents had been no matter how unlikely it was. Melissa heard the little girl scream from outside. They both looked at each other before rushing out to see what was wrong. Anju was once again hiding behind Talo and Talo was holding up a tiny wooden sword which he pointed at Ganon who was standing in front of them. Melissa let out a sigh of relief realizing there was no enemy to fight. “We're not scared of you Monster!” the boy stammered. Ganon just chuckled making the boy jump. Ganon walked closer and lowered his head to stare the boy in the face. “You shouldn't be scared of him. He's a good monster.” Melissa said walking up behind the children. The girl turned to her wide eyed. “ I even bet if you ask him nicely he might help you look around.” Melissa said kneeling down beside her. “But he's so scary.” She cried. “You can't always judge someone on how they look. Come on I'll show you.” She said holding out her hand. “Wait Anju! How do you know you can trust her?” the boy protested when the girl took it. Walking to Ganon Melissa shot him a behave or I'll get you later look which only made him laugh again. The noise startled the child but with a little more coaxing they had made it to him. Ganon lowered his face and Anju placed her hand on his nose. “It's wet.” She giggled. Ganon let out a snort ruffling her hair. “It's going to eat you!” The boy called still keeping his distance. “No he won't! Will you Mr. Piggy?” Anju said petting his head like some kind of pet. That made Melissa laugh. Ganon shook his head to answer her question. “Will you help us look for our mommy?” Anju asked him stroking his arm. He nudged her face with his nose gently making the girl laugh. Melissa just couldn't help but think of how cute this scene was. She would have never pictured him to be good with kids but he always found ways to surprise her. Now if he started giving piggy back rides she didn't think she would be able to let him live it down. “Yay! Come on Mr. Piggy!” The girl said excitedly leading the way with Ganon following. “Wait for me!” the boy called running after them forgetting he thought Ganon a dangerous monster. They let the children search each hallowed out building before the children themselves gave up. They looked as if the world had ended but Melissa had noticed that she had saw no human remains. It was quite possible the villagers had escaped. “Please don't cry Anju. She might have gotten away.” Telma said cradling the girl. “That's right!” The boy said trying to encourage his sister. “There is no sign of anyone here so she must have gotten away.” He finished but Melissa could tell he didn't quite feel what he spoke. Looking around Melissa noticed how late it was getting. She spotting Ganon looking oddly close at a tree. She walked to his side wondering why a tree could hold his interest. “What is it?” she whispered and he pointed to a symbol that she recognized carved on the side of the tree. It was the symbol of the gerudo's. “Does that mean they have been here?” she asked to which he nodded. “Do you think they might have saved some of the villagers?” she asked trying to be hopeful. Ganon shrugged. She thought if anyone would know what a gerudo would do in a situation like this it would be him but he seemed clueless. “Your no help.”Melissa sighed. Ganon gave her a serious look making her regret her words. “I'm sorry. That came out wrong.” she said putting her head against him. His eyes softened and with his hand he gently held her to him. They lit a campfire using pieces of the burned down buildings. She felt a little awkward doing so but it was all they had at hand at the time. Telma had insisted that she cook for everyone making Melissa relieved that she didn't have to disappoint Ganon a second time with how bad her cooking was. Luckily for everyone the room that they had found Telma and the children in was a pantry and it was fully stocked. They ate well that night and Melissa was just happy that Ganon could finally eat his fill. After Talo and Anju fell asleep huddling against Ganon for warmth Telma wanted to know everything. Who they were, What they were doing, and why they were being chased. Melissa didn't feel much like talking at all so she left it up to Ganon who wrote to her in Hylian. Melissa ended up deep in thought over what had happened that morning. Her magic had never been that destructive before, that is if it was her magic, and it worried her. She had barely any control over what had happened. It had been like before when the water had sprang up to protect her but only much stronger. She never wanted it to happen again even if it was to protect her. The picture of the boy turning blue kept returning to her mind and she just couldn't help but cry. Sure the ignorant hunters had it coming to them but a child being strangled to death was just to much for her. She walked away from the two before they noticed. She didn't feel like explaining it to either of them. Walking back to the tree with the Gerudo symbol she could barely make it out in the light the fire was casting. She tried to let her mind drift to more hopeful things. Surely if the Gerudo had been here and there were no bodies to be found it meant that they had saved most of the villagers. She tried to cling to that hope. That Talo and Anju might be reunited with there mother. The question now was, if they were alive, where were they now? Why hadn't they came back for Telma and the children. Were the villagers with the Gerudo now? Should they take the three with them? As always there were too many questions and never any answers. At least she wasn't crying anymore. She looked back to Ganon at the campfire. They had apparently finished talking and Ganon was now just sort of watching her. She wondered what he was thinking. It was too hard to read his face most times now. Telma came over to join her by the tree. “What's that?” The woman asked pointing to the tree. “It looks like the same symbol on your necklace.” “It's a symbol of the gerudo. It means they were here.” Melissa responded. “They were here? Wait why do you have a necklace with their symbol on it?” she asked Melissa giving her a strange look. That was apparently something Ganon had left out of his explanation of the events so far. “Your not from Termina are you?” he woman said narrowing her eyes. “No. I'm not.” Melissa said staring down at a rock that had suddenly become more interesting to her. “Well you don't look like a gerudo.” Telma said observing her light complexion. Melissa pulled her hair back showing her ears. The woman stared at her for a bit. “I have some gerudo heritage. Or at least that is what I have been told.” Melissa said hoping the woman wouldn't judge her. “So that means your man is Gerudo?” The woman said piecing the puzzle together. Melissa didn't respond which only confirmed Telma's suspicion. It took a second but two and two came together making the woman gasp. The woman started to take off to the children worried but Melissa grabbed her arm. “Please stop. I promise he won't hurt them. The Gerudo aren't as bad as you think. A lot of it is rumors. Plus he's changed quite a bit. You have nothing to worry about.” Melissa said trying to calm Telma's fears. “But he's the King of Evil!” Telma said outraged and confused. “No he's not!” Melissa protested. “You just had a long conversation with him. Tell me did he seem evil to you then?” Melissa asked trying to make her see reason. “Well no but...” Telma trailed off glancing at the kids sleeping peacefully beside him. “There are no bodies left from the fire. I'm no scientist but even I know there would be remains of some sort.”Melissa said bringing her attention back. “There is a Gerudo symbol carved into the tree and I know I am only speculating but maybe the villagers were saved by them. They might be with them right now as we speak. Did he tell you where we were headed?” Melissa asked. Telma shook her head. “He only told me you were on a quest.” she replied. “Well we are headed to see them now. Hopefully they can remove the object from his chest so that he can change back. You could come with us to at least see if their mother is there.” Melissa said. Both of them looked to the children. “What's the catch?” Telma asked eying her again. “What do you mean?” Melissa asked uncertain why she would even ask her that. “What do you want in return?” Telma said with a grim look. “I don't want anything other than Anju to see her mother again.” Melissa said offended. “I guess if you could cook along the way it would be helpful. I am a terrible cook.” Melissa said with an embarrassed smile. “That's all?” Telma said with a laugh. “That's the only thing I can think of.” Melissa said wondering if this was a good idea. “Alright you have yourself a deal. ”Telma said taking her hand and shaking on it. “Your not really like a Gerudo you know.” Telma said studying her. “How many Gerudo's do you know?” Melissa asked which made them both laugh. They returned to the fire and Melissa spirits seemed to have lifted just a little. Melissa snuggled up against Ganon who had a serious look on his face. She was sure he had been listening to their conversation. “It will work out.”Melissa said feeling his emotions on the deal that had just been made before trying to change the subject. “So which would you prefer to have? A girl or a boy?” Melissa said looking at the children. His eyes went wide but after a second he laughed softly. “What's so funny.” She asked unsure why he would find the question amusing till she remembered the whole thing about males being born every 100 years. “Oh.” she said with a sigh. “Well maybe it isn't quite the same with me. I mean my aunt had a boy and even my Grandma would have had a son if she hadn't had a miscarriage.” Ganon looked at her but she couldn't tell what he was thinking. “Fine then don't answer me. I guess it doesn't matter then.”Melissa said huffily when he didn't really respond. She didn't know why the thought of not being able to have a son bothered her so much. Ganon could tell she was upset but Melissa didn't respond to him nudging her. It had been a long day and she fell asleep before she had even known she was tired.