The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 48 ( Chapter 48 )

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

The next few weeks went by in a blur. Melissa was unsure if she would get used to how the girls treated her now. When she would go anywhere a hush would always follow. Melissa hadn't seen hide or hair of Nabooro since her arrival. She didn't know if it was a good thing or not. Maybe Ganon had told Nabooro to stay away from her. It seemed a silly thought but she couldn't help but wonder. She had started learning the bow from a really strict woman named Kona who thought her incompetent. She was actually one of the few people who still treated her as a nobody and she was surprisingly grateful for that. Melissa asked the woman about it once and she had responded that it was her job to be the best teacher she could be because that was what her king would want. That she couldn't do it if she had to constantly kowtow. When Melissa had told her thank you she gave her a funny look but laughed. She didn't take it any easier on her but she seemed to have a little more respect for Melissa. She didn't feel she had made any progress under the woman's tutelage so far and had begun to get frustrated. She was constantly hurting her hand on the bow when the string would snap back and was getting blisters on her fingers. If she could just get a hang of compensating for the wind she might actually be able to hit a stationary target more than every once and a while. Moving targets would probably be even worse. Today she woke early so that she could sneak out before anyone would catch her in Ganon's room. She had been secretly staying with him every night even though it was breaking tradition. He lay peacefully beside her this morning. He had fallen asleep the night before wrapping her in his arms to keep her warm and apparently hadn't moved from that position all night. He gave off so much body heat and the room was already fairly warm making it uncomfortable for her. The sun had barely risen and it was already this hot? She cringed to think of how bad the heat would be today. She wiggled free and she guessed that he must have been really tired because he didn't even stir. He had pulled his hair down that night and sometimes she wondered exactly how he was able to put it up by himself. She brushed a strand that had fallen over his face behind his ear giving him a kiss before leaving to her room. No one was up yet and she was glad. It would make sneaking to her room much easier. She opened her door and shut it quietly behind her. To her shock Nabooro was sitting at her reading table. At first Melissa had thought she had been caught but as she looked at the woman she saw that she was leaning back and was quite asleep. Had she been in here all night waiting on her? Why would she do that? How had she not frozen in front of the window without a blanket? Melissa decided to let the woman sleep and went to water her little tree. It looked unhappy and a few leaves had turned yellow. “Are you not getting enough sun? Well we will fix that.” She spoke to it affectionately pruning off the bad leaves. “Do you always talk to plants?” She heard Nabooro say groggily behind her. Melissa turned around, plant in hand, to see Nabooro looking her over. Melissa walked slowly over and placed it in the window behind the woman. “Not always.”Melissa said smiling to herself before rounding the table to sit on the other side so that they were face to face. “So may I ask why you are in my room?” Melissa inquired politely. “Well I wanted to meet the girl everyone was talking about. Plus this room used to be one of mine long ago when Ganondorf and I were arranged to be married.” Nabooro said airily. She had known Nabooro and Ganon had been together at one point but the thought that this used to be Nabooro's room had never even crossed her mind. “I'm sorry I didn't realize.” Melissa apologized feeling stupid. Nabooro gave her a strange look standing up and looking her over. “Hmmmm...You don't seem his type. Are you really Gerudo like everyone says?” She said circling her. “That is what I have been told.” Melissa answered with a shrug. “So what is his type?”Melissa asked curious. Nabooro didn't seem to know how to answer that question and thought about it for a moment. She opened her mouth to speak only to close it again. Melissa really wanted to know but apparently Nabooro had as much a clue about it as her. “ So um I'm Melissa and you must be Nabooro.” Melissa said giving her a small bow from where she sat. Nabooro sat back down next to her. “Yes. That is me. I have met with the two others who have came here just as you. A hyper young man and a rather bossy girl.” Nabooro said making Melissa laugh. Apparently Melissa wasn't the only one to think that of Heather. “So you have met Zelda's guardian? I have met Heather and Link but haven't had the pleasure of meeting the other guardian and the Princess.” Melissa said finally excited to hear something about the other two. “I heard that Agahnim put them in a deep sleep and has them trapped at the castle.” “Actually they are free now. When we sages escaped we found and released them. Right now they are in hiding with the other sages.” Nabooro said resting her chin on her hand. “That's good to hear. I almost wish I could see the look on that wizards face when he realizes they have escaped. ” Melissa said with a relieved smile. “Me as well.” Nabooro laughed. “I have visited Rutulla and Darunia they have told me a little about your visits. So you have been traveling with Ganondorf all this time?” Nabooro asked studying her hard once again. “I have been in his company pretty much since we were chased from the spirit temple.” Melissa paused thinking back to the night they had fled. “They came one night and slaughtered many of the gerudo. I even witnessed one of the soldiers torturing a mother in front of her children. From that point I realized nothing was what I thought it was.” Melissa sighed remembering how shocked she had been to realize her black and white mentality of Hyrule was wrong and Nabooro nodded. “I think the original plan when we set out was to confront Zelda on the atrocities her personal army was committing but after we ran into Link... Well it became apparent she had nothing to do with what had happened.” “So tell me... how did you come to the decision to marry that vile man?” Nabooro asked. Vile? Melissa guessed she could understand why the woman felt that way but she herself had never felt that much hatred for him. “Well once I figured out I was in the gerudo desert I actually feared running into Ganondorf. I knew of his reputation and wanted nothing more than to avoid him. I was never more scared in my life when Kotake brought me before him that first morning here. He was cold and calculating. He also seemed to enjoy my fear, but as we traveled he changed. I know you probably don't believe me but he is different than when I first got here. Some of his old tendencies pop up now and then but that is understandable. I don't expect him to change completely into a saint.” Melissa didn't mind some of it anyways. There was something about a bad boy. “I can't believe we are engaged!” Melissa smiled excitedly thinking of him. “Poor girl if you were smart you would leave as soon as possible. He is not someone you want to spend a lifetime with. The things he has done to the people of this land including to someone that was supposed to be his fiancé! That man will never change! It's not something a girl like you needs to get mixed up with.” Nabooro said looking worried grabbing her hand but Melissa pulled her hand away. “I know more than you think. Even if I am from another world I know most of the history even with all the alternate hyrules that Nintendo has created. He didn't quite say what he had done to you but when I guessed the most of it he didn't hide the truth from me. Wait... what do you mean by “A girl like me?” Melissa said aggravated and tired of people telling her what to do. “I don't know what a Nintendo is but I can tell you he is tricking you. Please believe me! I have lived with him most of my life. He is real good at manipulation. You think he has changed but he is only fooling you. I only meant you seem like a nice girl and I was trying to help you. I didn't mean any offense.” Nabooro said still trying to make Melissa see what she thought was reason. “Look you don't know what we have been through together. It has taken me a while to come to this decision. I did not decide this on a whim. I know his hands aren't the cleanest but everyone deserves a second chance. Even Ganon.” Melissa argued to which the sage just shook her head. “I only wanted to warn you.” Nabooro said getting up looking upset her talk hadn't gone as planed. “Look I love him and I am sure you mean well but I am getting tired of all the people who keep trying to split us up thinking it's for my own good. I have been told by a few people now the same thing you have just told me and then I have also been told I am not good enough for him. You may think I am stupid for wanting to be with him but I assure you I am quite capable of making my own decisions. Please don't be mad at me.” Melissa said clutching the pendent Ganon had given her for comfort wishing she hadn't left his bed now. “I am not mad but you will see. He isn't who you think he is.” Nabooro said before leaving her all alone. Melissa knew people were only telling her all this because they cared but she was really getting tired of it. Melissa left her room and headed back to Ganon's. She opened the door not worrying about being silent at all this time. Her entrance seemed to have woken him but she didn't care. Ganon sat up confused when he saw the upset look on her face. She crawled back in bed and snuggled against him burying her head against him. He slowly wrapped his arms around her. “Let them think what they want. This is all the proof I need.” She said voice muffled against him and he silently waited for her to tell him what was wrong, but she wasn't about to let this morning's conversation ruin his day. After he realized she wasn't going to elaborate on what she meant he let out a sigh stroking her hair. He stayed silent letting her work it out on her own. She felt as if she had been on an emotional roller coaster and it was starting to make her feel drained. The only time she felt okay was when they were alone together. “Don't you have a class this morning?” Ganon finally asked when she lay there silently for a while. “If it's dance class then you can forget it. I am as ungraceful as they come. I am tired of everyone deciding what they think is best for me. I am allowing you to request the bow lessons and even that seems hopeless. Kona couldn't think me any more inept. I really think your wasting our time making me learn this.” Melissa said grouchy that he was so ready to make her leave. “Your allowing me?” He said amused by her boldness. He pushed her up off of him and Melissa groaned which caused him to chuckle. “ I will not take it easy on you just because you are my wife to be. Now get up.” He said removing his robe as he got up to change his clothes. Of course this caused Melissa to blush. “A little warning might be nice.” she said averting her eyes shyly rolling over so that she was facing the opposite direction. She wondered if she would ever get used to any of this. “I said get up.” He said again before she was pelted with a pillow making her giggle. She threw a pillow back at him blindly. “We are to be wed and you can't even look at me?” He said amused at her fear to look. “This just won't do.” he said playfully as he rounded the bed. She rolled over before she could see anything and felt him behind her trying to turn her around. She clung to the bed as long as she could laughing all the while. He was much stronger than she and the struggle didn’t last long. She put her hands over her eyes and heard him chuckle. “What are you scared you will see? Have you not seen a man before?” He asked entertained by her bashfulness. “I have. I'm just not sure if I could take seeing you yet. I might be blinded.” she said jokingly. He let out a deep laugh. “Fine I will spare your eyes today.” He released her and she could fell him get off the bed. She heard the rustling of clothes behind her before he spoke again. “It's okay to look now.” He said and she opened her eyes slowly making sure it was truly safe. He was wearing his usual pants and was fastening some of the lower armor on. Still shirtless though. Melissa let her eyes travel up and they stopped at a scar above his heart. How long had it been since she had come here and he had gotten that wound? She got up and walked around him noticing that he had quite a few scars on his back but they weren't anything major. Coming back to his front she placed her hand on the old wound feeling each strong beat below the surface. “I thought you couldn't look at me without being blinded.” He teased. “I have no problem with what's above the waist.” Melissa smiled kissing the spot tenderly. Was it her imagination or had she felt it skip a beat? She dropped her hand not expecting that kind of reaction. “You are quite a distraction.” Ganon said with a smile before resuming getting dressed by pulling his under shirt on then fastening his breast plate over. “I don't suppose we could just run away from here and start anew somewhere else could we?” she asked feeling stressed about all the things going on. He looked confused by that statement. “What has brought this on all of a sudden? Does this have anything to do with what you were talking about earlier?” He asked. Melissa was still unwilling to discuss it . He just stared at her trying to read her face before shaking his head. “Oh well. It was worth a try.” she sighed sitting at the table with her back to him. She waited for him to finish dressing silently. If he got angry at Nabooro and she decided to leave they wouldn't be able to find the last temple. “Are you done yet?” She asked turning around as he finished fastening his cape. “I am almost ready but there was something I had planned to do this morning when I got up. Go to the dining hall and I will join you shortly.” He said with a smile as she stood up. “Okay I guess I can do that.” Melissa nodded surprised he was actually going to eat with her today. He had been pretty busy the past few days and the only time they had gotten together had been at night. Her days seemed quite lonely without him there since everyone, including Chara and Azazel, was giving her a wide birth. If Hiba hadn't been the troupe leader she probably wouldn't have talked to Melissa either. Melissa had been skipping breakfast most days and spent the extra time to practice magic or visit Trinexx. Trinexx seemed to miss him as much as she did but her company seemed to cheer the horse up a little. She guessed she wouldn't be skipping today though. “See you in a bit I guess.” she said walking to the door glancing back at him apprehensive about leaving hoping he had really meant what he said about joining her. He nodded encouragingly and she guessed she couldn't stall forever. She opened the door and made her way to the dining hall. The hall went quiet as soon as she entered like usual and once again like the first day after the engagement she was unsure of where to sit. The chair she had dreaded to sit in before stood next to Ganon's and she wondered if that was where they expected her to sit. She had decided the first day that Ganon hadn't come with her that she would rather eat with everyone else. She looked for anyone she recognized with no luck and felt foolish just standing there with everyone staring at her. Searching for an empty spot she found one in between two girls who looked rather uncomfortable with her being in between them. Now that she had found a spot she had lost her appetite but she forced herself to eat anyways. After a while chatter resumed in the hall and Melissa could catch snippets here and there. Apparently the big news right now was still about Nabooro's return. “Did you hear? She's back.” One said. “Who?” said another. “Nabooro.” the girl replied. “When did she get here?” asked another. “Sometime a few weeks ago.” responded another voice. “Well what does she want?” “No one knows.” “Maybe she's here to reclaim what is rightfully hers.” Melissa recognized this voice. It belonged to Raiki. “Hush.” she heard another say worriedly and with the long silence that followed Melissa was sure they were looking in her direction to see if she had heard. Melissa just pretended to be completely unaware. “Why should I hush?” Raiki said a little more quietly. “I am sure I'm not the only one who is thinking this. She is better suited than the...” “I think Raiki is just upset her dance was cut short the other night.” Another voice snickered cutting Raiki's sentence short. “ Plus haven't you always had a crush on the king?” “I am not and I do not.” Raiki said trying to sound adamant. Melissa wasn't quite convinced and the girls laughed at Raiki's quick defensiveness. So they thought Nabooro would have been a better choice. How many felt this way? The room fell silent again and Melissa turned around to see Ganon walking toward his designated chair but he paused when he didn’t see her next to it. He looked around the room and his gaze landed on her. She gave him a sheepish smile knowing he had expected her to sit in the chair beside his but she had just hoped if she sat with the other girls maybe she could just blend in. She had always kept her head down at home and was pretty much the invisible girl when she was in school. She got up and walked to his side. “From now on you are to sit next to my chair. Is that understood?” He ordered quite loudly making her even more embarrassed. She felt almost as if he was scolding her like a child who should know better. The silence was broken with snickers. Melissa was sure Raiki was one of them. He offered her his arm so that they could walk to their chairs together but it just felt like a rigid display. He still seemed unwilling to show much emotion in front of everyone else. They sat down together and a girl promptly brought them food. It was different from what everyone else had been eating. Like the chef had actually put some thought into it. Melissa didn't want to insult who ever it was by not touching it even if she had already eaten so she ate a couple of bites. Ganon noticed her not eating much but said nothing. It was quite silent now that he had joined them. “So what are your plans for the day?” She asked trying fill the silence. He finished chewing thoughtfully and swallowed before he spoke. “I will be going over defense plans with the head guard for when we leave but after that not much. I might hone my skills in my usual spot. I haven't had time to do that in a while.” He said with a smile. Melissa got the impression that it was calming to him. “Oh... okay.” She said kind of disappointed. She had hoped maybe they could have done something together but she guessed he hardly had time to do things he loved so she wouldn't get in the way. “After that I don't know. We can take Trinexx for a ride again or go to the market. What do you plan on doing after you see Kona?” He asked her in return. “ I thought I might come and watch you practice. It might be fun to see you in action.” She responded but he gave her a funny look and she realized he might have wanted this time alone to himself. “I'm sorry. You wanted some alone time... I understand... I ...” She started babbling feeling embarrassed for not figuring that out sooner but he put his finger to her lips stopping her. “There is no reason for you to be sorry. I don't mind your company at all. It's just there won't be much for you to do. You will probably get bored.” He said making her feel a little better. “ Okay then I'll bring something to occupy my time till your done.” Melissa nodded wondering where his usual spot was. She was sure that Kona would probably know so she would ask her after practice. Melissa thought of which she would prefer to do after he was done. She hadn't been to the market since the hyrulian army occupied the city and there might be a useful item there to take on their trip. Then again it was always fun to take Trin for a ride to the valley of lilies. She had gone their several times when Ganon had been busy to just think. Sometimes it was fun just to go there and sing to Trinexx. “Could we do both the market and the ride?” Melissa asked. “I suppose we could.” He said already looking tired by the prospect of both but Melissa didn't plan to stay in the market long. A market meant lots of people and that a lot of eyes would be on them. He wouldn't really be able to relax that way and she just wanted him to be himself. He spent a lot of time trying to uphold his image around his people. “We can make the market a quick trip. I only want to see if there is anything I might want for the upcoming trip.” She said smiling. “That sounds like a good plan. Maybe we can find you a nice bow to take instead of the training one you have been using.” he said thoughtfully. She was also thinking about finding some archers gloves so she could keep blisters to a minimum. Melissa was now ready to get practice over with so they could have rest of the day together. “Well I'm going to go ahead and get the lessons over with. See you laters.” She said getting up with an excited smile. She wouldn't let her lessons bring her down today. She had something to look forward to after. She gave him a quick kiss and headed to the target range. Kona wasn't there yet so she decided to go ahead and set up the targets. As she did so she noticed Nabooro on the other side of the range where the horseback archery targets were located. She had excellent marksmanship. Melissa watched in awe as the woman rode gracefully between the obstacles hitting each target. Melissa could see why the girls thought Nabooro a better choice. Melissa felt she would never be that good. She was still unsure how proficient Ganon wished her to be before they set off again and it left her felling a little overwhelmed. “Your not done setting up yet?” Kona's stern voice sounded from behind her. Melissa turned giving her instructor a big smile. “Sorry I got distracted.” Melissa apologized even though she knew that it didn't matter that they weren't up yet. Usually Kona had everything up before she got there. “What were you looking at?” Kona asked looking over Melissa's shoulder. “I was just admiring Nabooro's ability.” Melissa said turning back around to watch as Nabooro made another pass through the course. “Ah Nabooro. She was the most skilled of us but do you know how she got to be that good?” Kona asked and Melissa knew this was going to turn into another lecture. “She practiced... A lot.” Melissa said rolling her eyes. “Yes but not just that she dedicated herself to it. She became the best she could be so to help her people thrive.” Kona said serious then turned to study Melissa's expression to see if she was understanding the point she was trying to get across . Melissa didn't know if the woman was calling her lazy or was trying to encourage her to better herself for the same reason. Melissa wanted to believe it was the second and went back to finishing the set up. Maybe she had been thinking of these lessons the wrong way. Maybe they weren’t the waste of time she had thought they were but a way to better herself for her people.