The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 45 ( Chapter 45 )

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

They went to work straight away moving benches from what looked to be a room where most of the girls went to eat. She wondered why no one had told her this was here. She had been just going to the kitchen. Oh well she knew about it now. She recognized one of the women helping her carry the bench. She was the gerudo who the hylian soldier had been choking in front of her children. The woman seemed to remember her as well because she kept glancing at her as they placed the bench at the last table. Melissa tried to talk to her but everyone dispersed after their goal had been reached to start the next set of preparations. All except Telma who sat down wiping the sweat from her face. “Wow I don't know how they do it. I am burning up.” Telma exclaimed fanning herself. “Well what did you expect? This is a desert.” Melissa grinned feeling the same sometimes. “So I thought I saw Anju and Talo with someone the other day. Did they find their mother?” Melissa asked curious on how the two kids were doing. “Why yes! There mother is quite grateful to you and...” Telma stopped not quite able to say Ganon's name. “The kids asked about you two just the other day. Anju still wants that ride.” Telma said with a wink making Melissa laugh. Melissa watched as Hylian and gerudo alike hustled here and there. “He's not as bad as you think you know.”Melissa said leaning back as a warm breeze blew past them but Telma hadn't heard her. She stared behind her looking alarmed. “What's wrong?” She asked turning around to see Ganon right behind her smiling. He was wearing a smaller version of the robes that fit much better and he had let his hair down letting it drape over his shoulders. She guessed he was in relaxed mode. It seemed it wasn't just Telma affected by his appearance. Everyone had stopped what they were doing. Was his presence really that overwhelming? “Mrs. Telma. How has your stay been so far?” he asked courteously with a smirk. She could tell he was still enjoying her fear. “It has been fine.” She responded timidly. “I just remembered I have something I need to attend to.” Telma said backing up before leaving in a hurry. He watched her leave then turned to Melissa with a shrug. Melissa guessed she couldn't expect the woman's feelings to change about someone she had learned to fear most of her life just like that. “So how about that ride?” He said putting an arm around her waist and leading her off to the stables. Everyone was watching them and it made her uneasy. She could already see them whisper. Ganondorf of course took no notice of it. When they had reached the stables Trinexx was already saddled waiting for them at the entrance. He placed her on the horses back and mounted behind her pulling her close in front of everyone making her embarrassed. All she wanted to do was hide as he directed Trin forward starting at a trot. Why was he doing this? Was he letting everyone see them together on purpose? She couldn't figure out what he was up to. It wasn't till they reached the gate to the desert that he moved Trinexx into a gallop. “Ok what the hell was that?!?!?” she yelled upset over the wind. He just laughed wholeheartedly burying his head in her hair. “I have something I want to show you.” He said in her ear before straitening up ignoring her question. What could he possibly have to show her in the middle of the desert? They were going quite a ways out and she still hadn't seen any sign of what he could possibly want her to see. She thought maybe it was the withered tree but they had passed that a long time ago and were now about to crest a sand dune. He slowed the horse down so that they now overlooked a sort of flat plain that was covered in the strange red lilies of the desert she had picked the other day. “It's beautiful!” She gasped jumping off of Trinexx to stand at the edge of the sea of flowers. “How can they survive here in such abundance?” She said gazing on the sight amazed turning back to Ganon who dismounted. “Well one explanation might be that there is an underwater source here.” He shrugged coming to stand beside her. Melissa guessed that was possible. “Come.” He said holding his hand out to her. She took it nervously as he led her to the middle of the field. “I thought you might appreciate this place.” he said with a warm smile picking a lily and placing it in her hair. “I used to come here when I was younger to just get away when things bothered me. Most don't know of this place and I would like to keep it that way.” He said giving her a look. She understood. This was just between him and her. She was kind of touched that he would share this with her. “I can imagine being King at such an early age wasn't easy.” She said sympathetically. He nodded. “I was under constant pressure to be the best and my mothers would hardly give me a break. When I would disappear they would always search for me but for some reason they never came here. Of course I would be in trouble when I returned but it was well worth it.” He said with a distant smile crossing his face. “How about you? What was your childhood like?” he asked returning to the present. Melissa thought about it a little. “Well what can I tell you?” She paused unsure of what he would really want to know. “I lived with my Mom, Dad, and two sisters and spent a good bit of time with our grandparents when our parents were at work. I can't really say my childhood was rough in anyway other than our dad had a temper now and then but he was mostly all talk. We were always taken care of and never went without.” He listened intently as she spoke. “I started school when I was six years old and graduated the twelfth grade with honors.” She went on. “What did they teach you at this school?” he asked curious. “ Well for thirteen years I was taught reading, writing, math, science, and history. How about you? Did they teach you anything like that when you were growing up?” she asked. “Of course but I was also taught the art of the blade and bow, magic and thievery. Those skills are what keep our people afloat during desperate times.” He said looking to the distance. “Well maybe, if the curse is lifted and the desert reverts back to the way it used to be, things could be different. I would like to see the tribe be more independent and not have to rely on their neighbors to survive.” Melissa said optimistically. “Even if the curse is broken we may not see the outcome in our life time. Though I admit I would love for our people to thrive more and not just living off the scraps of those hylians.” He said with a discouraging look. “Well I would also like to see peace between the two peoples.” She hinted. “Do you truly think that possible?” He asked incredulously looking at her like she was naive. “Well I won't hold my breath on that. You saw how the woman reacted to me today.” He said with grin. “Well you can't expect someone as feared as you to suddenly be adored the next day. It takes time. As far as holding your breath I think your wrong. Already today I have seen the gerudo and hylian's working side by side happily for what ever this event is tonight. There is still hope.” Melissa said trying to retain her optimistic feeling. “So... out of curiosity what exactly are we celebrating tonight?” She asked intently. “Well you will find out if things go to plan.” He said with a playful grin. “What things?” she asked wondering just what he was up to. “Well...” he said looking down anxiously fiddling with something in his pocket. This was totally out of character for him. What was going on? “Earlier today you finally admitted your love whether it was intentional or not and well I wanted to ask once again... will you stay...with me?” He pulled something from his robe pocket and when he opened his hand a necklace similar to the one he had made her rested in his palm. This necklace though was made of what she guessed was gold and just like the other had the gerudo's crest upon it. She stood there not quite knowing what to say. Was this a marriage proposal? Her heart pounded in her chest and ears. She was uncertain what the gerudo's custom would be like. She thought about Jimmy. She felt like she had broken her promise to him just by what she had allowed this morning. Yet she might never see him again. Wouldn't he want her to be happy if she couldn't make it back to him? Ganon stood there quietly waiting for an answer. She loved Jimmy a lot but the man before her was connected to her in ways Jimmy would never be. Although her fiancé was very open minded she didn't believe he would quite understand about her having magic nor being a dragon. Her mind flashed back to what king Ralis had said to her the day before they had left. Maybe she had been brought here for a reason. Not just for this quest but maybe for the man who stood in front of her now. Maybe this was where she truly belonged. She was his guardian after all and she did honestly love Ganon with all her heart. How had this happened? She wasn't supposed to feel this way for the villain. But he wasn't really the villain this time. He looked at her worriedly when she still hadn't answered and was standing almost frozen to the spot. “The gerudo won't want me...” She whispered making one last weak attempt to keep things the same. If she agreed her life would change completely and she was unsure if she was ready. He let out a sigh. “For once could you stop all your worrying? I Love You and if what you said this morning is true then You Love Me as well. That is all we need.” He said crossing the distance between them. “I will ask you again. Will you stay by my side and be my queen?” He asked taking her hand and getting to one knee. She was unsure. Her head told her to do one thing while her heart was telling her to do another. Eventually she nodded weakly and he smiled triumphantly. Her heart skipped a beat as he kissed her with such passion that her knees felt weak. “You will be happy here. That I promise.” He said pulling away and unfastening the old necklace and replacing it with the new one. “This necklace has been passed down from king to king to be given for engagement. Try not to sell it.” He teased lightening the mood and making her laugh. She realized that with this necklace around her throat there would be no way to hide what had happened between them. Everyone would know she was engaged to him. “Let us head back. You made me wait so long it's getting late and you will need time to get ready before tonight.” he laughed taking her hand leading her back to Trinexx. Ganon placed her on top of the horse and when he wasn't looking she hid the necklace under her shirt. She just didn't think she would be ready for the questions and stares yet. She couldn't help but worry about what everyone would think. They made it back to the valley just before the sun set. Koume and Kotake waited eagerly for them at the stables. He must have told them of his plans before because they both looked to her neck expectantly. “Why do you hide it?” Kotake asked with a frown. Ganon dismounted and looked at her chortling. “ She is worried about what our people will think.” He responded for her running his finger down her collar bone before hooking it under the necklace pulling it out with a playful tug. “My Dear you should be proud of what you wear. You will be the first queen our tribe has had in a long time. They can not deny his choice.” Koume said happily as Ganon lifted her down from Trin. He kissed her cheek before turning to leave. “Wait! Where are you going?” Melissa asked alarmed. “I am going to get ready for tonight. Go with them. They will help you get ready as well.” Ganon said gesturing to the two witches. And with that he was gone taking her confidence with him. What had she gotten herself into?