The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 40 ( Chapter 40 )

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

Melissa woke in a big comfy bed and sitting up she stretched looking around. The bed had a rich red canopy that went from a solid fabric down to a sheer letting her peek out. It looked as if the gerudo had moved all of Ganon's things to this room. Just like Ganon's room at the Spirit Temple, minus the mess, half the walls were covered in books. Tapestries and ornamental weapons also decorated the walls. The floor was covered in thick persian like rugs and his reading table stood in the back near a large window which had drapes to match the canopy. If some of this stuff had been in his room before she hadn't noticed it. She looked for Ganon but he was no where to be seen. She was alone. How had she gotten here? She remembered falling asleep on the roof but what had happened after that? Then she remembered the strange man from the night before. She tried to think of where she had seen him before and then it clicked. She knew exactly who it had been but why had he looked so funny? Had her head just been playing tricks on her? Had Koume and Kotake run into problems trying to change him back? Where was he now? She heard a knock on the door. “Are you up my dear?” She heard Koume call from the other side drawing her attention to the huge doors across from her bed. The Gerudo symbol embossed the door's center in gold. This room was too much. Why had he taken her here? Melissa got up and walked to the door as Koume knocked again. “I'm up. I'm up.” Melissa said combing her fingers through her hair before twisting the handle letting the door swing open. Koume followed by Kotake flew in and proceeded to sit at the table. Melissa just kept looking down the hall looking for Ganondorf. “Well what are you staring at? Close the doors and come sit down silly girl.” Kotake ordered. Melissa's heart sank when she realized he wasn't coming. She closed the doors back quietly trying not to show how much his absence bothered her. “Where is he?” Melissa asked trying to hold her composure together coming to sit next to them. The two witches looked at each other for a moment before responding. “ At least tell me what happened. Is he okay? I mean I thought I saw him last night but I was so tired I'm just not sure.” Melissa asked impatiently. “He is okay. We removed the hex stone but the spell still lingers.” Koume started. “Well he could at least have came and let me know that in person.” Melissa said a little upset he let someone else deliver this news to her. “He would have but the spell is hindering his change back. He got almost back to normal last night before Chara barged in saying she couldn't find you.” Kotake said eying her. “He went after you right away of course halting all the progress we had made. He doesn't want you to see him like he is now so he ordered us to come in his stead.” This answered why he had looked so strange the night before. “I don't understand. If he made it halfway last night couldn't he just start again?” Melissa asked not seeing why he hadn't just tried to finish the change. “We are out of some of the ingredients it takes to help loosen the spell. Once he stopped that was it. He will have to wait for the curse to go away on it's own now.” Kotake said looking upset at Melissa. She knew then it was her fault that he was stuck and felt guilty for having wanted a little time alone. “How long do you think it might take?” She asked wondering how long Ganon was planing on avoiding her. She just wanted to be near to him as strange as that sounded. Somehow on their trip she had become very attached to him. It almost felt as if there was something missing without him there. How could he think that she would care what he looked like? “It might take days, weeks, or even years.” Koume said uncertain. “Well couldn't we get more of what ever you were using to help?” Melissa asked. “The ingredients we use used to grow wild in the desert but have long since become extinct here. There is rumor that some still grow in the royal greenhouse at Hyrule castle but it is not for certain.” Kotake said letting out a short breath. “Do not worry. We have sent a spy to check the castle and bring back what we need if it's there. Everything will be okay.” Koume said seeing the distress in Melissa's face. “In the meantime he has asked that you be taught some things in your free time. Which I will let Koume tell you of. I must go and attend council.” Kotake added giving a curt nod before leaving. They watched her go in silence. “So my dear. Our son has told us a great many thing of your trip.” Koume said beaming at her. “Have you made a decision yet?” Melissa knew exactly what she was asking but should she say anything? Melissa put her face in her hands. “I thought I had figured out what I wanted but after talking to Chara yesterday I don't think I can go through with it.” A funny look crossed the little woman's face. “What did she say?” “ Well she seemed mad. She said I didn't know the first thing about being a gerudo and that I was too weak. If that is how people look at me I just don't think I could stay even if it is what he wants. The tribe's feelings matter to me and I know I would be undeserving. So now I just don't know.” Melissa replied putting her head down on the table. She felt Koume patting her on the back. “I am sure that many of them don't feel that way in the least. He's was right. You do worry too much.” Koume said with a smile. “Respect is earned and you can't do it sitting in this room. Actually our son has ordered for you to be taught quite a few things. You will learn and in time not just the tribe but you yourself will see your not as weak and undeserving as you think.” Koume said encouragingly. Melissa was unsure if she would ever feel deserving but she would settle for being treated as an equal. “What about the quest? Do we have the time to be dallying around? I understand he doesn't want to be seen stuck in between forms but the longer we wait the more time the wizard has to accomplish his goals.” Melissa said worried. “There is a time for everything. The quest is not going anywhere and besides you are not the only ones working on it. I am sure Hyrule's hero can handle it for now.” the little witch responded. Melissa had no doubt Link could. Then another question popped into her head. “ How do you feel about him and me together?” She asked shyly. It felt weird to think about being married to him. “Like any mother I wish my son to be happy. If you bring that to him I would not stand in your way. The fact you considered the tribes feelings before your own proves he has chosen wisely.” With the next part Koume grabbed her hands and looked her in the eyes. “ Do not break his heart.” Melissa was taken aback. “Break his heart? Surely I don't have that much influence over him.” Melissa said unsure. Koume just gave her one of those you should know better than that looks. They sat in silence for a minute before they spoke again. “What am I to be taught?” Melissa asked with a sigh. “Well we will be continuing your magic lessons. I was told your last spell got a little out of hand.” Koume said needlessly reminding her of the vines. Something she would rather forget. “ When your shoulder is healed a little more we will start training you with a bow and sword. He also requested you be taught dances. Only Din knows why.” Koume laughed. Melissa remembered the night they had camped just before reaching Death Mountain. “He said I would learn to dance when things were back to normal. I don't think this would be considered normal yet.” Melissa said hoping to get out of at least one thing she knew she would be embarrassed to do. “I will not force you to do it but I believe it would be beneficial. It would get you acquainted to some of our customs and help you to build a stronger bond with the tribe. These are things you need to learn as a gerudo.” Koume said giving her a stern look. Melissa couldn't argue with her. Chara had said that was a reason she shouldn't be with him but she really didn't see how dancing would fix that. “Fine I'll do it for him.” Melissa sighed. “ Good! Now that is settled how about we get you something to eat and then have your bandage changed.” Koume said beaming once again. Melissa got up brushing off her legs and Koume mounted her broom. “So is he really just going to avoid me till he's back to normal?” Melissa inquired. “I don't know.” Koume said thinking. “He is stubborn when he comes to a decision on something.” “Then can you give him a message for me? Tell him I don't care what he looks like. Please tell him I'm not that shallow. That if he doesn't come see me eventually that I will skip classes to look for him and if that doesn't work I might have to something a little more drastic. That is my decision and I can be just a stubborn.” Melissa said the last part jokingly but Koume seemed to take it seriously. “I will talk to him. Just please don't do anything to drastic.” Koume said worriedly. Melissa laughed and Koume just looked at her confused. Melissa noted every hall they took so she could find her way back later. They reached the kitchen finally after crossing over to several other buildings. The caldron in the back was bubbling with what looked like a soup of some sort. Heat radiated from it making the room a little too warm for her taste. A few Gerudo were still eating at the table as she sat down. She felt awkward like she was in high school again. She didn't know any of the women here and due to the small size of the table there was no way for her to sit away from them. She realized Chara was really the only friend she had among the women here. The only problem was Chara wasn't there. They glanced at her as she took the last remaining spot. Koume had already ate so she left Melissa to see what she had missed at council. Even after Melissa had expressed her discomfort about being left alone Koume told her she was just being silly and that she would return after she was done eating. Melissa just kept her head down and ate quietly. “ So your the pale thing I have heard of.” A tall slender one spoke to her. “Hush Azazel. She can't even speak Hylian.” said the one with a sort of pixie style hair cut. “ Well they said she was going to be coming to dance practice. I just figured she would have to be able to understand if she was going to be able to follow orders.” The girl Azazel said indignantly. “Really? I'm glad it's your troupe and not ours. One weak dancer disgraces all of us.” The pixie one said glancing back at Melissa. Koume was wrong. They did think her weak. She couldn't finish her food. She stood up trying not to show any emotion. They all were watching her now making her feel self conscious. “Uh oh! I think she did understand you Raiki.” She heard the one next to her whisper. Melissa just walked out silently. She felt stupid for leaving but what could she have said to them. She had never been good at making friends. At school she only had a few close friends with whom she had always had shared interests with like anime or video game crushes and so on. What were a gerudo's interests? She didn't know if she had anything in common with any of the girls in that room. Melissa just waited at the left entrance to the kitchen hoping the girls would take the other out. She felt so alone and it seemed like eternity waiting for Koume to return. When she was with Ganon it was as if he filled her with confidence. By herself she felt awkward and so unsure. Sure it was easy to stand up to Heather. She could really care less if the girl liked her but around the gerudo it was different. She didn't think they would truly accept her but that was what she wanted none the less. Melissa just sank to the ground and put her head against her knees. “Are you okay?” She heard a voice beside her. She looked up surprised to see Azazel standing over her. “Can you understand me?” She asked with a kind smile holding her hand out to her. Melissa nodded. “ I'm sorry about the girls. They can be a little judgmental sometimes.” the girl apologized. “I'm Azazel.” Melissa took her hand and the girl pulled her up. “I'm Melissa.” Melissa responded shyly. The girl's smile only got bigger. “ I'm so glad you can talk. They said you were different but I didn't expect you to be so pale.” The girl said examining her. Melissa knew Azazel hadn't meant any harm with the comment but it only made her feel like more of a freak. Melissa looked down ashamed. Melissa knew it was her Irish and Scottish ancestry that made it nearly impossible for her to tan. She could burn easily enough but where her friends got darker after a sun burn she stayed just as white. She had once stayed with a friend at the beach for almost a week. They had sat out in the sun for hours everyday yet it had made no difference. “I'm from a tribe further in the desert. When we got here they recognized my talent so I was assigned to the King's dance troupe. I know how it feels to be the new girl. Don't worry. They wouldn't have placed you with us unless you had talent of some sort.” Azazel said proudly seeming not to notice her last comment had bothered her. “The King's dance troupe?” Melissa asked confused. “We entertain the King on special occasions and help perform certain ceremonies.” The girl said giving her a look like she should know this already. What had Ganon got her into? A group like that was probably well respected. She would only shame them and Ganon who put her there. “You okay?” Azazel asked noticing the look of dread on her face. “No. Not really.” Melissa said feeling just a little queasy from nerves. “Why would he do this to me? He knows I don't dance in front of people. When he said he would make sure I would learn to dance I didn't think he would do this to me. I thought it would be just a little one on one training. Not this!”Melissa said sick to her stomach. “Whoa! Calm down. Who is this he your talking about?” Azazel asked looking bewildered. Melissa just shook her head. “You probably wouldn't believe me anyway.” “Try me.” Azazel said putting her hands on her hips. “I'd rather not.” Melissa said realizing that Koume, Kotake, and Chara were possibly the only ones who really knew of how much time she had spent with Ganon. “Suit yourself.” Azazel said with a pout which made Melissa laugh. She decided telling the girl would probably not be the brightest thing to do. It would make her look like a liar and that really wouldn't be the best way to try and start a friendship. “Well I will try my best not to hold the troupe back.” Melissa said bowing her head. “Honestly Don't worry about what Raiki said. It isn't as bad as she is making it out to be. You have plenty of time to learn.” Azazel said encouragingly putting a hand on her shoulder. At that point Koume had returned and smiled to see Melissa was actually talking to someone other than Chara. After Melissa said her goodbyes to Azazel they headed to the crazy doctor.