| Zelda kissed her father's cheek, and gave Impa a hug goodbye, even though they were both comatose. She then slung her pack over her shoulder, and joined the Sages and her husband in the courtyard. Everyone appeared merry. Saria played her ocarina as Darunia danced wildly as Rauru, Ruto, and Nabooru looked on, laughing. Link motioned to them; "Let's go!" He cried, "Let's kick some sorceress butt!" This was met by cheers, and Link and Zelda mounted Epona, Darunia lifted Saria onto his shoulders, and Ruto and Nabooru each hopped on a horse. With a shout of merriment, they raced out of the Castle gates, and onto the vast field beyond. "Where do we go now?" Ruto asked. Zelda replied; "First we go to Lon Lon Ranch for supplies." And around mid-morning, the group pulled into the pastures at the ranch. Link hopped off Epona, and he and Zelda walked to the door of the large cottage where Talon lived. Zelda knocked on the door, and the bleary-eyed, chubby man answered, exclaiming; "Oh! It's Link...and the Princess? Oh, well what can I do fer ya?" He swayed unsteadily, suggesting that he was drunk. Link grinned, and said; "Could we have a lunch basket with...say...12cucco legs, 2 fish, and some biscuits?" Link plunked a rupee into Talon's hand, and Talon said; "Well, I'll have Ingo make y'all up one right away." Link and Zelda were surprised. "Dosen't Malon work the kitchen?" Zelda asked. "Naw, she ran off somewhere to be a tavern gal." Talon yawned, and went off to get Ingo. He soon returned with a basket that had delicious smells wafting from it. Zelda said; "Thank you." And she and Link hopped back on Epona, and everyone set off. *** Drazira looked to each side, and slunk out of Hyrule Castle's gates. She paused in the shadows to change her form again, from the pale Hylian form to a Gerudo. Laughing, she skipped from the market, but on the way out, a solider stopped her; "Uhhh...miss? Have you seen a Hylian woman about 5 feet high, blonde hair, rough linen gown?" Drazira shook her head. "No, I haven't seen anyone like that." She said in her best Gerudo accent. The guard motioned for her to proceed, and she crossed the drawbridge, and stepped into the tall grass. Looking to make sure nobody was near, Drazra touched the Pearl of the Heavens with a fingertip, and she shimmered into oblivion. Several seconds later, she found herself back in her stone fortress. Chuckling, she regained her true form; long blue hair, olive skin, icy eyes. Drazira then sat to wait for the Enemy. *** The sun shone hot on our travelers. Saria finally spoke up; "I'm hungry!" And Ruto nodded, saying; "And my fins are drying out!" And Zelda turned to Link; "The heat makes me nauseous!" Link led everyone to a quiet stream, and they all sat down, save for Ruto, who leapt gracefully into the water, and sighed as her dry fish skin grew wet again. She then scrambled onto the shore, and dug the fish from the bottom of the basket. Minutes later, everyone lay on the picnic blanket, bellies stuffed. Soon though, Nabooru hopped up, saying; "C'mon everyone!!!" She leapt onto the back of her horse. Zelda, Link, Rauru, and Ruto all pulled themselves onto their horses, and Darunia put Saria on his shoulders again, and they pressed on. *** The sun was just slipping beneath the horizon as the weary group arrived at a town. Tired to the bone, Link led everyone to an inn, where Epona, and the other 3 horses were stabled. Zelda, Nabooru, Ruto, Darunia, Saria, Rauru, and Link trudged into the tavern, where a familiar face greeted them; "Hello, my name is Malon, and I'll be your server. Welcome to Saggitarius Tavern!" The part Gerudo girl smiled. "Malon! So this is where you work!" Zelda exclaimed. She glanced over to her friends to see Rauru riveting his eyes on something. Zelda followed his gaze to see that he was staring at Malon's legs. It must have been noticeable, because Link suddenly tapped him on the shoulder, and got him to stop fantasizing, or whatever he was doing. Link then winked at Zelda. She giggled, and Malon motioned for them to follow her. They were led to a table, where they all plopped down into the plush cushions. "What would you like?" Malon asked. "I'll have..um...some lizalfo broth and some toast." Link said. "I'll have some fried cucco." Zelda added. "I'll have leever soup." Nabooru ordered. Ruto piped up; "I'll have some fish!" This made everyone laugh. Ruto pretended to act offended, and added, "What do you want, Saria?" "I want some salad, please." She looked to Darunia, who grinned as he spoke; "And I'll have some sirloin rocks." Malon bit her lip and said; "Oh. That might take awhile, because we have to find them outside, OK?" Everyone looked to old Rauru, and burst out laughing. He was drooling, his eyes fixed on Malon. She blushed, and Link shook his shoulders; "Hey, snap out of it!" He grinned. Rauru jumped, and studdered; "Uh....uh...um...cucco?" Malon nodded, and left. Soon, everyone was eating. Link looked to his wife, who looked really tired. "You OK, Zel?" He asked. Zelda just nodded, and Link thought he saw a flicker of a grin cross her face, but again, he might be seeing things. After about an hour, Link checked everyone into the inn. Darunia and Rauru went down the hall to their room, and Ruto, Nabooru, and Saria headed up the steps to their room. Link and Zelda then went to their room. "Zel, are you OK? You hardly ate anything!" Link exclaimed. Zelda nodded, saying; "Yeah, just a bit nauseous. How long until we reach the mountains?" Zelda murmured. She did look sick. "Aww..a week or so." Link said soothingly. "And about another week to reach the Sorceress' place." He gave Zelda a kiss, and they climbed into bed. *** Zelda's stomach lurched. What is wrong with me?!? She asked herself. Zelda shut her tired eyes, and gazed deep inside herself. Oh...that's why I feel so cruddy...Oh my... *** |
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