The Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ Gerudo Forest ❯ Chapter 54 ( Chapter 54 )

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

“Woman, I have had it up to here with your nonsense!” Melissa heard Ganon yelling. She opened her eyes startled, but soon realized she had fallen asleep in the later half of their ride today. She couldn't remember what her dream had been about, but she had remembered Jimmy being in it, as well as this weird feeling of being watched. The feeling was very similar to that of when Agahnim had invaded her dreams. She had actually forgotten about the wizards scary ability to invade her mind, but this feeling brought the fear crashing back down on her. Melissa put her hand to the necklace around her neck, only to remembered the pendant to ward off the wizard had been replaced with the engagement necklace. Would Agahnim come after her in her sleep again? She sat up and looked around. It seemed tonight they were to camp in an abandoned village. Like so many of the others, someone had set fire to most of the buildings. Somehow a stone church had survived with minimal damage. The roof had been burned a little and most of it's stain glass windows had been broken, but it still stood. The rest of the town hadn't been so lucky. The chard houses and shops were either collapsed or hollowed out shells. How many burned villages did this make now? Six? Seven? “Nonsense!?!? After what you did to the people of this land over the years? If I wasn't under orders.” Impa fumed. “If you weren't under orders, you would do what?” Ganon growled menacingly. They were at it again. Melissa looked to Nabooro, but the sage just sat by the fire tending to what must be dinner. How could she just ignore them? Melissa just wasn't in the mood to deal with this. She got up and walked towards the church, hoping the distance would put her out of ear shot. It was the same every night. Anything Ganon did, could and would set Impa off and so Melissa would try to intervene, only Ganon would give her a look and she would be forced to drop it. This frustrated her to no end. No one seemed to notice her leave, and if Ganon did realize, he might worry and search for her. That in it's self would probably end the fight tonight, which suited her fine. The church was further than she had thought, so what she had figured to be a small church was much bigger. It's large gray stones were blackened in areas from smoke damage and it's door, which was elaborately carved with a scene of the three goddesses surrounding the Triforce, was cracked open. She peeked in and saw that moonlight was leaking through the holes in the roof. It lighted the inside well enough that she could see no one laid in wait, so she squeezed through crack and proceeded to walk down the center aisle. It was lined with pews that seemed to be made with the same stone as the building. Looking forward, she approached the front where a statue of the three goddesses stood. Was it their doing that she was here? Did she even believe they were real, much less actual goddesses? She sat down on the front pew. Her parents had raised her christian and she still wanted to believe in what she had been taught, but none of it could explain what she was going through now. The more she thought on this the more confused she became. After a while, she gave up unsure what to think. The Church had a peaceful feeling and she just sat there humming to herself. Her thoughts drifted to Jimmy and how he was doing. She felt a little guilty, but did not regret her choice to stay. Soon her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of foot steps. “There you are!” Melissa heard a voice behind her. She turned to see Impa walking her way, with her arms crossed. She looked relieved and that made Melissa curious if the sage actually cared what happened to her. “Everyone is looking for you. Your...” The sage took a small pause to think of what she wanted to call Ganon. “...master is upset that you ran off.” She finally said being surprisingly civil. “Oh? So now you want to talk to me?” Melissa asked bitterly. Impa frowned looking a little guilty at that jab. “First let us get something straight! He is not my master. He treats me as an equal.” “Does he really?” Impa questioned skeptically raising her eyebrow. “Yes, he does.” Melissa returned angrily. Melissa was unsure if it was the complete truth. He did treat her with love and respect most of the time, but he was king. Truthfully she would always be a station below him, but then he had never treated her that way. They sat in silence for what seemed like ages before Impa spoke. “I want to apologize for what I did to you back at the fortress. I took my anger out on you, when I realized who you were with.” The sage began. “Just because I'm his, doesn't mean I am evil. Actually neither is Ganondorf. He can seem rough, callus, and cold, but if you could just see past the mask he wears to uphold his reputation, you would know he isn't a completely bad man. He had his reasons for doing what has been done. It doesn't excuse his actions, but if you would just take the time to notice, you would see he is trying to change.” Melissa pleaded trying to get the sage to see reason. Impa scoffed. “I have never seen someone speak so passionately about a cutthroat murderer before. The villain we chase now is no different than the man you are defending. You might as well sympathize with the wizard.” Impa shook her head. “Nabooro said you were different and naive. You better wake up before Ganon gets tired of toying with you.” “He isn't toying with me!” Melissa said trying to control her anger. “You can't truly believe he loves you?” Impa jabbed again. Melissa felt on the verge of tears. This was not how she had hoped the conversation would go. She had to find someway to get the sage to see reason. “He has done so much for me. More than you will ever know.”Melissa tried again, only to be silenced when the church door swung open, slamming hard against the wall. The noise echoed loudly through the building making the two of them jump. Ganon looked a mix of anger and worry, but as his gaze fell on her a look of relief joined in. He sauntered to the front where they now stood and she could see him dawn his mask. Did he really feel he must hide his emotions from Impa? “What do you think you are doing walking off like that?” He demanded. “Never leave without telling me where you are going! Is that clear?!?!” She was definitely in trouble again. He had now resorted to giving her orders and this just made Melissa more upset. “Well maybe you would have noticed me getting up if you two weren't bickering all the time.”Melissa said defensively. “The church looked like a peaceful enough place and it wasn't that far away. I am just tired of the fighting. You two don't have to like each other or even become the best of friends, but you will have to work together. If you act this way at the temple you will only get us killed.” Melissa now said to both of them, finally voicing her opinion on there silly behavior. “Just try and get along. That is all ask.” She begged, but the two just looked at her like she was crazy. “Look our goals are the same. I don't know all of what was done in the past, but you need to put your anger aside for the moment. He's not going to poison your dinner and if you haven't noticed he has shown quite a bit of patience towards your rude behavior. He has done nothing as of late to earn such hostility, but the same can not be said of you.” Melissa directed this towards Impa. She was done trying to be a diplomat. The sage would either see reason tonight or she would do something more drastic. She then turned towards Ganon continuing. “Please! I beg you! Resolve your differences. You do remember our talks of peace don't you?” Melissa hadn't planned for the conversation to go this way, but now her thoughts were out in the open. Melissa half expected Ganon to roll his eyes like usual at her last comment only he didn't. He looked at Melissa eyes softening. He knew this meant a lot to her. Impa on the other hand looked like the thought was absurd. “Please!” Melissa pleaded again with the sage. “ There can be coexistence between Hyrule and the Gerudo. I have seen it.” The sage looked at Ganon, who now studied her, gauging her reaction. She didn't look convinced at all. “If it makes you feel better you can hate each other again when it's all done. We are on a rescue mission to save Link and Heather for heaven's sake. This hostility only puts everyone in danger.” Melissa tried one last time. “I guess I can for Link, but do not think this is permanent. As soon as we free the hero and his guardian, it will be as if this conversation never happened.” Impa said glaring at Ganon. “Well shake on it.” Melissa insisted after Ganon and Impa just continued eying each other wearily. Neither looked too keen on the idea, but Ganon was the first to extend his hand. Melissa had to keep from giggling, as Impa grimaced at his touch. To make it official Melissa had put her hand over theirs and made them promise all the drama was over. They both reluctantly shook. It was done! Hopefully now the trip would be more relaxed. Impa released his hand as quick as she could with a shudder. She was the first to head back to camp. Ganon and Melissa stayed behind for a minute. “Thank you for doing that.” Melissa finally said staring at the statue again. Ganon just shook his head. “Why do I always find myself doing things I don't really think will work?” He finally responded with a sigh, wrapping his arms around her. “Well I would hope it was because you love me.” Melissa grinned. He chuckled at that. “Well if there has been any doubt of that, let me put it to rest.” He whispered in her ear before turning her roughly around to face him. He kissed he passionately before releasing her lips. “Now, I want you to make me a promise. It is only fair.” He smiled. “What kind of promise?” Melissa asked unsure. “Promise me you will try not to be too reckless on this trip. That you will tell me where you are going if you have to leave my sight for any reason.” He responded giving her a kiss at each request. He looked at her so tenderly. He would never act this way in public, but she didn't care. It only made these moments that much sweeter. “You really want to know every time I have to go to the bathroom?” Melissa joked. He gave her a serious look. “I only want you safe. We have known each other only a short while, and I do not wish to lose you. You have become more to me than you will know.” He responded, putting his hand to the side of her face. He lifted her head till he could gaze directly into her eyes. This of course made her blush. She meant more to him than even she would know? She had heard him say this before, but it was nice to hear it again. This statement rang out in her mind causing her to feel happier than she had in a long while. “I promise I will try.” She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Try?” He smirked. “That's the best I can do.” She grinned back. “So, what's for dinner?” she asked changing the subject, as they walked hand in hand back to camp.