The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 43 ( Chapter 43 )

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

After the introductions were over the real work began. A few of the girls who had followed them in were not really there to dance but to play the music. They had an assortment of bongos, flutes, and something reminiscent of a sitar. The music they played had an ethnic feel to it. Hiba started the day off by getting the group to show her different dances and would tell her what they were used for. There were dances for ceremonies such as when they danced for a king's coronation or a dance for an occasional wedding which hardly ever happened. There were also dances to celebrate for when babies were born and dances for when a gerudo passed away. Then there were the dances that were purely to entertain the king. The gerudos who danced seemed familiar and well practiced with each one. Sometimes there was a leader in the dance in which the rest would follow and then sometimes everyone had their own part to play. They all seemed intricate and complicated. Melissa doubted she would be able to learn any of them. “Your turn.” Hiba said letting the other girls practice on their own. “Let's see what you can do.” The music started and Hiba began to show her step by step how one of the king's favorite dances went. It reminded her of a belly dance almost. Hiba's body moved almost like it was a snake looking graceful as she moved. Melissa tried to copy her but it wasn't as easy as the girl made it appear. Hiba eventually had to brake the dance into parts making it a little easier to follow when it was apparent that Melissa was getting confused. Melissa was unsure in her movements and Hiba would constantly get on to her. “You must show confidence when you dance. Keep your head up! Don't look at your feet.” The girl kept telling her but all Melissa could feel was shame at how clumsy she looked compared to the others. She was aware of the other girls glancing her way now and then. Sometimes she would hear laughing which just made her want to give up on this whole crazy dance thing. They eventually got through the whole dance but Melissa was no where near ready to perform it. “Again!” Hiba instructed and the dance started over. Melissa was still doing just as poorly and she could see the frustration in her leader's face. Through it all though Hiba never gave up. She just drilled her and drilled her till she saw what she considered to be an improvement. Practice had been over for quite some time before Hiba actually let Melissa stop. All the other girls including Azazel had been gone for hours. Both of them were drenched in sweat. She still felt depressed about her performance even if Hiba said she had slight potential. Melissa knew she was just being polite trying not to hurt her feelings. How had she gotten suckered into this? “Whew! I'm soaked! I think we could both use a rinse.” Hiba said pulling her hair back into ponytail. Melissa definitely wouldn't object to that. “Lead the way.” Melissa said eager to have a bath before tonight. They ended up walking quite a ways. “How far is it?” Melissa asked curious as to where they were going. ” Not far now.” Hiba said stopping at a dark entrance with two torches at the side. Hiba grabbed one and handed the other to her. “Why is it so dark?” Melissa asked eying the tunnel. “It is because this goes through the rock face and cuts to the river. We won't need the torches as soon as we get there.” Hiba explained. They entered and as soon as they rounded a bend she noted that at the end other lit torches hung at a wooden door. “Looks like some of the others are still here.” Hiba said placing hers on an empty slot on the wall. Melissa did the same. As Hiba opened the door Melissa had to close her eyes as the sun flooded the hall blinding her momentarily. When she opened her eyes she found that they were at the bottom of the ravine that was right before you got to the valley. Putting her hands above her eyes, to shield them from the sun that was beating down, she looked around. A path lead to the waterfall and Hiba was already walking in its direction. Melissa took her time following hoping that maybe some of the girls would leave before she got there. She watched the strong current of the river flowing past her. How were they supposed to bathe in this? Melissa looked back and Hiba had disappeared. As she reached the waterfall she realized there was a fairly big open room behind it where water from the fall collected just before it joined the river. Azazel and one of the other girls from practice were lounging in their underwear within the shallow water. Melissa wished she could wait till the pool was empty before getting in. “Water feels nice today.” Azazel said tilting her head back basking in a sun ray that had somehow made it behind the waterfall. Hiba was already undressed and in the water before she had anytime to blink. “Well aren't you coming in?” Azazel asked and the girl whose name she didn't know giggled. They stared at her making her uncomfortable. She felt she had no choice unless she wanted to look like a fool. She slipped her clothes off wishing she had a bathing suit. She felt out of place here. “Ah! I'm being blinded!” The nameless one said joking only making Melissa feel more awkward. Azazel splashed the girl causing the girl to giggle. Melissa got into the pool and tried to clean up as fast as she could. She even washed her clothes that really had needed it. When she got back to her room she guessed she would hang them to dry and use one of the gaudy ones Ganon had lent her. “So I heard our Lord is back but I haven't seen him at all.” The nameless one said. “He is probably just busy.” Hiba said leaning back. “I have only heard stories of our King. What is he like?” Azazel asked. “That's right. Your tribe was farther away than most wasn't it. So you haven't really met him before.” Hiba commented thoughtfully. “For a man he's not all that bad looking but his presence is quite intense. A harder to please man I have never seen before. He is quick to anger so you must watch your manners around him at all times.”The other girl said starting to ramble on about how feared yet respected their leader was. “There is more to him than that.” Melissa mumbled under her breath. “Oh? And how would you know? You have probably never even seen him either.” The girl said folding her arms across her chest. “I have to. True he can be intense but there is also a sweet and caring side to him as well.” Melissa said smiling to her self reminiscing. The girl and Hiba just burst out into fits of laughter. “Who ever you met it certainly wasn't him. Someone must have been playing a joke on you.” Hiba said wiping her eyes. “It doesn't matter if you believe me.” Melissa said getting up putting her wet clothes back on. “Where are you going?” Azazel said getting up doing the same. Melissa had decided since she had a little time before the shadows would be abundant enough to try the spell on herself that she would take Trinexx for a ride. She hadn't seen the horse in a while and was sure he thought she had forgotten about him. “I'm going for a ride to dry off a little.” Melissa responded feeling how damp her clothes still were. “Oh that sounds like fun!” Hiba said getting up to join them. “I was just going to ride alone.” Melissa said uncertain about them seeing her ride Trin and not really wanting company. “Well it doesn't matter because we want to ride anyway.” Azazel said with a grin. “Have fun I'm staying here a while longer.” The nameless girl said stretching out now that she had the pool all to herself. Hiba and Azazel seemed so excited about the prospect of riding that they seemed to be rushing to the stables. Did dancers not get to ride that often? She thought about asking but that required catching up and they seemed to be racing each other. When Melissa finally reached the stable Trin was in the back as always. Azazel and Hiba hadn't been there that long and were looking at the horses making there way back towards him. Azazel had never seen the horse before and stuck her hand out to pet Trinexx before she could be warned. Trin of course wasn't going to have any of that and nearly bit the girls fingers off before Hiba pulled her back. “That is our King's horse. Only our Lord has been able to ride him. He doesn't seem to like anyone else.” Hiba tried to explain to a mortified looking Azazel. Hiba led Azazel back toward the front to pick a tamer horse but stopped when they saw Melissa pass them headed to the back. Trinexx whickered as he saw Melissa which made her smile. “Wait!” Hiba called trying to warn her but Melissa had already opened Trin's stall. The horse still had his saddle on. Had no one been able to remove it? “You ready to stretch your legs she whispered to the horse who neighed happily in response. “Stop! What are you doing? That horse is dangerous not to mention he belongs to Lord Ganondorf.” Hiba said now looking mortified herself at what Melissa was doing. Melissa didn't care though. She mounted the horse causing the two to gasp. “He let you up?!?!?!” Hiba said confused and shocked. “Believe me when I tell you Ganondorf won't care.” Melissa said patting the horse's side. “Well are we riding or not?” Melissa asked with a smirk. “ I thought you said no one else could ride him.” Azazel said staring between Melissa and Hiba. “Well until now I have never seen anyone other than Lord Ganondorf able to get near him. And for future reference you should refrain from using his name so informally.” Hiba said looking at Melissa like she had just committed a crime. Melissa shrugged once again not really caring. Melissa had earned her right to call him what ever she wanted with all the stuff they had been through together. Trinexx pranced about impatiently. “All right Trin we're going soon. Just hold on.” Melissa said calming the horse. She really wished they would pick their mounts before she would need to return to her room. After they continued to procrastinate Melissa got tired of waiting. She sped the horse forward and Trinexx shot past the two girls into the sun. Melissa got quite a few stares as she rode the horse out into the desert and the two never ended up joining her. They were probably worried Ganon would come and punish her and anyone else involved in the borrowing of his horse. She rode for a while out toward what looked like a ring of stones. The remains of a dead tree stood in the middle and around it grew the deep red lilies of the desert. This spot made her think of the dream she had about the beautiful forest before Agahnim had turned it into a hellish nightmare. She wondered if it was actually possible to turn the desert back into a lush forest. She knew she would try her best at least for Ganon sake. It could open up new possibilities of peace for the gerudo. If the land could be fertile again and the climate more bearable maybe there would be no more need for them to be thieves or cause for fights with their neighbors in Hyrule. Melissa wished for nothing more than that. Dismounting Trinexx she walked to the tree. It was quite possible the same one but just withered and dried up from the sun. Melissa picked one of the lilies blooming in it's shadow and placed it in her hair remembering how Ganon had given her one of these at the fancy village they had stopped at a while back. She prayed everything tonight would go smoothly. The sun had moved a little and Melissa guessed by the time she had taken care of Trin and put him away it would be time to set her plan in motion. Jumping back upon the horse she ran him back as fast as the horse wanted to go. Trinexx really seemed to like to run and he almost didn't stop at the stables. She seemed to get more attention coming back with Trin than she had when she had left. No one stopped her to tell her she was in trouble so she decided not to worry. Putting the horse back in the stall she removed his saddle so he could finally relax a little and pulled out his brush. The horse bobbed it's head when she began to hum and brush at the same time. It still amused her to no end how much the horse loved music. Ganon had a wonderful voice and it made her wonder if maybe he had sang to Trinexx on rides before. As she finished Chara entered. “So your still here.” She said sounding relieved. “Why wouldn't I be?” Melissa said closing the stall gate. “Well there was a rumor floating around that you had run away on the King's own horse. It has even reached Lord Ganondorf who sent me to find you and confirm if it was true.” Chara said all business like. “Wait! So he will let you see him but I still can't?” Melissa said seething. “Calm down. The only reason he called me was because Koume and Kotake are busy. Plus I am the only other who has seen his condition. He seemed genuinely worried about you if that matters at all.” Chara said holding her hands up thinking she was taking this way out of proportion. Melissa decided she wasn't waiting any longer. Screw the test run she was going to see him now. “Where are you going now?” Chara called behind her. “I'm going to see Mr. Piggy.” Melissa said only making Chara confused. “Who is Mr. Piggy?” She heard her call again but Melissa was already entering the building making her way back to the hall with the guards. As she approached she heard the guards footsteps. Building up her courage She found the shadow's spark and with a deep breath she ordered it. “Enshroud me.” She thought. The shadows slid around her giving her chills. It felt as if a cold, dark weight had been draped about her. It made her claustrophobic even though she could see easily out of it. Time to see if this would really work. Timing it just right she entered the hall just as the guards turned away from her. Melissa followed silently behind them and stopped in the middle so to let them complete their trip down and then go past her again so that as she reached the torches at the end they wouldn't see her outline. It felt as if she was waiting for eternity. She felt the drain of the shadow magic making her hope they would just hurry. She held her breath as they passed her and to her relief they didn't even notice her there. Melissa rushed to the door as quietly as she could. It was cracked a little and Melissa could hear arguing inside. She peek in to see a room with pillars that seemed mostly dark near the back. Melissa opened the door slowly hoping it would not squeak and draw attention to her arrival but no such luck. As it got just big enough that she could squeeze through it let out a loud groan. Melissa quickly leapt into the shadows behind the pillars in the back blending in. “What was that?” She heard Kotake ask before the little witch came to the door and shut it completely. Kotake didn't notice her either making Melissa quite proud. As the witch went back to where she had been before. Melissa moved to where she could see what was going on. A person that she could only guess was Ganon sat in the very back. He was truly stuck in between like they had said. He still seemed massive in size with the wild mane she had noticed before. He still had some fur that covered him. The two odd teeth she had noticed before, as she now realized, were smaller remnants of the tusks. Somehow they had found a robe to fit him. At least he looked more like a man than a pig now. Why did he think this would bother her? He looked angry about something and Melissa guessed she would find out what before showing herself. “I told you to watch her!”He said pounding his fist down on the huge throne like chair in which he sat. His speech sounded awkward which was probably due to the tusks. “We were watching her but we can't be everywhere at once my son.” Koume said stiffly. “If she has truly ran away it is no one's fault but your own. Kotake said indignantly. Ganon apparently didn't want to hear that though. In a rage he stood up and threw one of the oil torches that stood before the chair which caused it to hit the side wall in a fiery mess. Koume and Kotake cowered before him. “We told you she wanted to see you. She even said she didn't care what you looked like.” Kotake said pushing him a little farther. “She shouldn't have to see me like this. Besides I did go to her one night.” Ganon argued. “Where is that girl!” he roared. “ If your apprentice doesn't bring me news soon I am going to...” Melissa didn't give him time to finish his sentence. “Disperse.” She said to the shadows walking toward the three. They all just stared at her like they didn't believe their eyes. “You leave Chara alone! What the hell is your problem! There is no need for this tantrum you are pulling. I didn't run away. I went for a ride. So quit pointing fingers.” Melissa said angrily. “How did you...?” Koume asked still in shock. Melissa wasn't in the mood to answer any questions. All she wanted to do now was stop his foolish behavior. “I would like to talk with him alone please.” Melissa said to the two witches who now looked hesitant to leave. “What?” she asked annoyed when they didn't move. “Do you realize how powerful that spell was?” Kotake said eyes wide. She wasn't going to let them distract her. “This can wait.” Melissa said. “Right now I want to talk to this idiot.” Melissa said pointing at Ganon. The witches just grinned at each other before flying out. Ganon looked angry to see her but after Koume and Kotake left his face softened. “Melissa I... You shouldn't be here.” Ganon said sitting back down and covering his face. All his anger from before seemed gone. “Did you really think I would run away? Please stop hiding behind your hands.” She said approaching him and touching his arm. He lowered his hands letting her look upon his face. “I can't figure out why you are so worried about what I think of your appearance. This isn't permanent anyways.” Melissa said giving him a warm smile. He just sat there silently. “ You don't even realize how much apart of my life you have become. I hate to be separated from you but I guess you don't feel the same.” Melissa finally said looking down at the floor. “That's not true.” He said cupping her face in his hand. “Everyday I wished to see you but I never wanted you to see me like this or as I was before.” Ganon said sounding sad. Finally he was talking to her. “You truly do not know how special you are to me.” Ganon said lifting her head searching her eyes. Was he looking for fear? Understanding? Maybe love? She was unsure. He saw the lily and smiled. “I may be stuck like this for quite a while.” He sighed dropping his hand. Melissa shook her head. “Well what if we tried to think of a spell? Maybe we don't really need that missing ingredient. Melissa asked. “It won't be that simple. Even my mothers needed aid of an ancient ingredient. Though I am quite impressed you were able to control the shadows with so little training I am sure you would never be able to handle a spell like that yet.” he said not even willing to try. “Enough talk of my condition. How did your dance class go?” He asked with a smirk. Melissa didn't care what he said about trying a spell she was going to try anyway. All she needed were the right words. “Well they tried to teach me your favorite dance.” She said feeling out with her magic to find the curse that was attached to him. “Oh well then you will have to show me.” He said with a smirk. “I was horrible. We worked even after everyone else had gone.” She said cringing as she found it within him . A feeling the dark energy radiated off of it. It seemed ten times worse than the shadows. He noticed and gave her a strange look. ”What are you doing?” He asked suspicious. She froze and he knew something was up right away. “Would you like to see how badly I can perform it?” she asked trying to think of what to say to get rid of the curse and trying to distract him from what she was really up to all at the same time. “No I want you to come here.” Ganon said getting up not fooled. She finally decided on the word she would use. She hoped it would work. “You are not ready to tackle a spell like that.” He hissed like he had read her thoughts. She had already decided and he knew it. As soon as she opened her mouth he put his hand to her forehead. “Sleep!” he uttered under his breath. He was trying to knock her out. “This is for your own good.” Ganon whispered catching her as her legs gave out beneath her and her eyes became heavy. “Dispel!” She whispered back before the sleep spell started to take over. “What have you done?” Ganon said wide eyed falling to the ground with her still in his arms. She was unable to watch him anymore because not only was the sleep spell working full force but she was being drained like crazy. Everything went dark and she could only hope that he would not be to angry at her when she woke.