Impa and Nabooru sit outside one of the shanties up the river from the camp. Though it hasn't been more than a week or so since they visited, the sound of the water flowing and frogs chirping in the dimming evening light reminds them of days that feel like they happened years ago.
Impa sits cross legged, leaning against a boulder reading, her rod propped between two rocks, probably not expecting to catch anything.
Nabooru sits cross-legged as well, a couple feet away, braiding her hair.
Impa watches her, resting her head in her hand."How did the canyon thing go?"
she asks.
Nabooru remains leaning forward although she does look up at Impa. She tilts her head slightly. "They won't be getting through, East or South. Not unless they learn to fly on brooms like Koume and Kotake, I suppose."
Impa raises her eyebrows. "You think they might?"
Nabooru looks up again, laughing lightly and shaking her head. "I doubt it. Zarah and Dreza were the only ones trained in-"
she pauses."Gerudo magic?"
Nabooru stares off."Yeah."
"Zarah a witch, I see it. Dreza hasn't mentioned anything."
"They come in pairs. One loud, absent-minded. The other quiet, but can hold a grudge like nothing else."
Impa looks at the river, closing her book. "Huh."
Nabooru drinks some water from her canteen."Dreza holds grudges, huh?"
Nabooru sighs. "Maybe for the best, they tend to be with me."
"Oh?"
"Nothing cruel, she just... Well, you saw how she was about us."
Impa, half from realizing she forgot to mark the page she closed her book on, half as a response, just lets out a flat "Oh."
Nabooru smiles crookedly."Did she tell you to do it all?"
Impa asks, the two both looking off to the same spot where the water forms a whorl. "I wouldn't be upset, just curious."
Nabooru shakes her head. "She didn't, no. After I talked to Ganondorf she did get a bit protective and wanted to play matchmaker more. I guess she thought I missed him."
Impa laughs, running a hand through her hair."Missed him? Did you two…?"
Nabooru waves with both hands, "No, no, no,"
laughing awkwardly, "Well,"
pausing, she grabs her canteen. "When I was a teenager, I maybe had a bit of a crush on him."
Impa stares at her, smiling awkwardly."I don't know if it was even a crush really. I was jealous, I think. I don't know. I stopped caring what it was a long time ago."
Staring off, Impa shakes her head. "Can you imagine."
"Absolutely not."
The two laugh.
They look up and east as a guay calls out, passing alone across the river near the waterfall. Nabooru shakes her head."They sound so ugly."
Impa scratches her cheek. "In Kakariko, the older folks said that guay are the souls of Sheikah who betrayed the royal family."
The two watch the guay clumsily make its way toward Lake Hylia."I didn't ever get why you said Zarah is power hungry. I guess it makes sense now."
Impa says, scratching her head, then taking a drink from her canteen. Nabooru takes a deep breath. "Well…"
"I don't know. Her and Malon have only gotten stranger to me the more I get to know them. I think I know what they want, then..."
"What do you want?"
Impa asks, rather quickly, but winces at herself for asking.
Nabooru shrugs. "I'm just along for the ride."
"Doesn't seem like your style."
Impa says.
Nabooru glances at her.
She looks off to the river again."I've been changing I guess."
Impa looks down."Everything won't stop changing."
She takes a deep breath, the backs of her eyes tingling."Sure won't."
On horseback, Nabooru makes her way back around the north partition. The lowland fog has just started rolling in the late evening light - purple flames flickering above the walls of the Fallows.
To the north forest, looking down and petting her horse, she feels a strange feeling run down her spine and sit a bit more upright, her brow furrowing.
The drawbridge of the old Capital is up - no longer broken and decayed.
Ganondorf's black tower is gone.
Her horse rounds the corner, slowing and walking to them gate of the north partition.
Goron gardening, Gerudo kids chasing eachother through the raised flowerbeds, a few Sheikah standing around. Younger, probably teenagers, standing in the corner, passing around some kind of cigarette. Through the gate, she looks back at them, but pulls into the new stable to the right.
Climbing down, she rubs her horse's side, approaches her head, petting her neck.
She realizes, just now.
She doesn't really have any reason to have come to the town.
She came without even thinking.
Standing there, her horse making its way to join another at the watering and feeding troughs, she looks at the two of them for a while, smiling as she sees them stand close.
Turning, there are quite a few Gerudo and Sheikah out and about in the north partition, sitting at tables under lanterns playing cards, standing in front of a fire as food grills.
She sees Dreza, Sahran, and the Gerudo she hasn't met sitting at a table. More surprised than she maybe ought to be, she sees Sahran leaning with a hand on Dreza's back, Dreza talking and laughing with the Gerudo.
She makes her way to the gate and door that lead to the Fallows and farmhouse, seeing a Sheikah light a few large lanterns at the opening and down the west alley.
Her gaze does linger on Anju's home, which has a light on upstairs, though she makes her way up to the farmhouse. It is much quieter outside the farmhouse, the Fallows folk likely already in their homes - it feels strangely lonely.
Nabooru takes a deep breath, noticing the feeling, but thinking, its probably just because the festival was so packed with people and loud.
She does notice the blinds drawn in the farmhouse windows, but she lets herself in. Just a firefly lamp in the kitchen and one above the couches, cast shadows across the quiet room.
She doesn't hear the familiar sound of cuckoos in the rafters.
She looks to Baron and Talon's room, although the door is closed.
She makes her way up the stairs, thinking she hears a cuckoo. As she approaches the door though, she realizes it is the sound of Zarah crying.
She pauses.
Standing a few steps from the door, she hears Zarah's voice, muffled, then a few sobs. She feels that strange, tickling zap of fear course down her arms, around her temples, in the soles of her feet.
She quickly but quietly makes her way up to the door and pauses with her hand on the doorknob, sighing with relief as she hears Malon's voice. Still, the backs of her eyes tingle, then burn. She shivers, not hearing anything more.
Opening the door, she sees the two sitting at the foot of the bed.
Malon looks at her from across the room.
Zarah is turned, her arms around Malon, head in her lap.
Zarah looks toward Nabooru breifly, but returns her head to Malon's lap – Malon has an arm around her, which raises to stroke Zarah's hair. Nabooru can't really read Malon, who just seems a bit confused.
Nabooru approaches them, seeing the bunny ears on the ground by Zarah's boots a bit in front of the bed. Nabooru sits down, putting a hand on the small of Zarah's back.
Zarah sobs.
Malon strokes her hair.
Nabooru rubs her thumb on her back.
Malon and Nabooru breath slowly,
Zarah still not able to speak.
Nabooru starts to wonder, starts to try and think of what could be wrong, but she stops herself, instead leaning to take off her sandals.
She does, as well as her belt, putting them off to the side and crossing her legs, taking a deep breath and sitting a bit further back at the foot of the bed, reaching to rub Zarah's back with one hand.
Malon looks back, her expression worried.
Maybe guilty? Nabooru thinks,
though the two look back at Zarah, who moans"Malon…"
Nabooru leans forward slightly, stiffening.
She sees a tear run down Malon's cheek.
Zarah sniffles."Malon… I love you."
She says, her voice cracking.
Malon strokes Zarah's hair, smiling lightly.
Nabooru watches Zarah's head raise, look at Malon, tear soaked, then return to her lap."You have such awesome titties, Malon."
Zarah mumbles, muffled.
Malon makes a strange frown and smile, looking back at Nabooru, who tries not to laugh, but twitches and exhales into her hand."I mean it!"
Zarah whines loudly, sobbing again.
Nabooru shakes her head,leaning back, propping herself up with her arms and watching.
Malon just runs her hands through Zarah's hair
Zarah holds her tighter, squeezing. Malon lets out something between a sob and a laugh, her arm dropping from Zarah's head and hand wrapping around Zarah's waist.
Zarah shakes her head, squeezing tighter and sobbing harder.
Nabooru takes a deep breath, scooting forward and dropping her legs over the edge of the bed. Zarah grabs Nabooru's wrist, squeezing it hard.
Nabooru tilts her head, smiling and look at the two.
Malon's eyebrows raise a bit, although she looks back down at Zarah."Nabooru…"
Zarah says, her voice cracking, "Your dick is so big."
Nabooru now also makes a frown and a smile, laughing, although as soon as she tries to look at Malon, Zarah pulls away from Malon and turns to her. She looks at Zarah, whos face makes a series of expressions from frowning, smiling, pain, sadness – she looks at Nabooru, then away, wrapping her arms around Naboorus waist and collapsing into her lap, crying.
Nabooru, strangley, feels herself tearing up.
Zarah sobs, rubbing her face on Nabooru's crotch, Nabooru casting a look at Malon, who shrugs and shakes her head, placing a hand on Zarah's waist. They just watch Zarah, who seems to stop crying for a while, be still, but then begin sobbing again, rubbing her face against Nabooru's dick."I don't want anyone else!"
Zarah says, finally.
Nabooru's mouth opens, but she strokes Zarah's hair, looking at Malon, who just looks at Zarah.
Nabooru takes a deep breath. "We don't want anyone else, either."
She says gently, although it makes Zarah cry harder."Please,"
Zarah lets out, "don't,"
her shoulders tremble. "please, never…"
she says, shaking her head. "youre all I want forever…"
Zarah mumbles after a while, clearly tiring out.
Nabooru and Malon look at eachother, exchanging a smile, wiping tears. "You're all we want, too, Zarah. Right Malon?"
Malon nods, rubbing Zarah's waist, then patting her ass."Of course. Zarah."
Nabooru looks as Zarah opens her eyes finally, although she doesn't look up, her eyebrows still arched, head still in Nabooru's lap, cheek still pressed against Nabooru's dick."Do you love eachother too though…"
Zarah asks, closing her eyes and loosening her grip finally.
Malon and Nabooru look at eachother softly."We do."
Malon says."Yes, Zarah."
Nabooru says.
Zarah squeezes Nabooru again, a bit lighter, burying her head in Nabooru's belly, tickling her and making her twitch."Bunny bunny…"
Zarah mumbles.
Malon and Nabooru laugh."You're the best bunny, Zarah."
Malon says, rubbing Zarah's thigh with one hand and slapping her butt with the other, with the dire expression of a priest performing some sacred rite.
Zarah laughs and humms, stretching.
Nabooru laughs, running her hand through Zarah's hair."best bunny…."
Zarah mumbles.
Malon lifts herself, moving further back on the bed and reclining against one of the large pillows. Her boots are still on."Is she drunk or something?"
Nabooru finally asks, looking back at Malon, who shakes her head and shrugs. She leans forward, smelling for booze on Zarah's breath, although there isn't any."I love you…"
Zarah mumbles.
The council is gathered in the new plenary hall – still being rather empty, every sound echoes through it loudly, abrasively. Chairs scraping against the stone floor, papers shuffling, coughs and mumbles. For now, there are short coffee tables in front of the councillors seats – mismatched armchairs or dining chairs. Nabooru and Zarah sit together on a bench; Dreza, Baron, Makaru and Malon sit in their own chairs; Kyruk stands, Darduk sits on the floor; a dozen or so of various Allonians, Goron, Gerudo – also sit on chairs or stand around. Talon enters, bringing a chair for himself; a few Zora arrive with him as well.
Nabooru looks off out the large windows facing south, a fist over her mouth. Zarah sits cross-legged on the bench next to her working on macrame. Malon shuffles and looks over papers. Kyruk and Darduk are having a somewhat obtrusively loud conversation about the increasing guay outside Death Mountain. Makaru sits by Malon, looking bored and leaned forward with his head propped on a hand. Dreza sits, one leg crossed, arms folded, between Malon and Nabooru, looking up at the high ceiling.
Baron eventually stands up."Alright, we should start out."
He says, clapping his hands thrice.
A Deku scrub assigned to take minutes quickly walks to a desk behind Zarah and Nabooru. Nabooru crosses a leg and leans back."So,"
Baron starts, "I assume you all received pamphlets on the process. We start with any concerns or comments from officers or citizens. We don't have direct oversight over election for officers yet, things are taken on good faith. Malon, Nabooru and I will be steering that process into something more formal and regulated."
During the breif pause, Nemek appears behind Malon, floating."So, the floor is open."
Baron says, looking around.
People mostly look at eachother a bit awkwardly, some staring at Nemek. A middle-aged Fallower man, somewhat lanky, short but thick graying hair, does step forward, "I'm Sorrel. I've taken up being the head of construction, two foremen, two dozen workers all told me I should come to speak."
He tilts his head, arms folded, not really looking at anyone. "I suppose, most concerns Fallowers have, we had usually just brought directly to Malon or Baron. I suppose though, in a public forum, I would like to have record of the,"
he looks around to the councillors, pausing, "There should be in the public record, some statements from the council on the Kakariko carpenters' exile."
The room is dead silent.
Baron looks to the other councillors, who seem unprepared for the topic. Malon just writes notes. Sorrel adds, "I think it is well understood what happened, and not only do most Fallowers think it was handled well, but the few who have doubts, I can say, only do because the conditions of the exile and what it entailed aren't known."
"Ah."
Malon says, not looking up.
Most look to her. She continues writing for a while, then stands, holding an elbow and rubbing her chin, staring a bit ahead and down somewhat blankly."It wasn't intended to be a formal process, I doubt anything similar would happen again."
She says, her voice rather soft and gentle, yet confident. She does glance at Sorrel breifly, then stares off again. "For the public record, yes. Some guards took them to a distant place, leaving them a wagon of supplies. We simply took steps to ensure they won't likely find a way back for quite a while. If they do try return from exile, whether friendly or not-"
Malon pauses, continuing slowly and carefully, "We will have to reassert their status. Unfortunately, we can not afford to let any who find their way back, return. ."
The room is quiet."Do you understand?"
Malon asks, looking at Sorrel.
Sorrel, with arms folded, nods, bowing slightly."That is reasonable, we assumed as much. While its not necessary, I will also say,"
Sorrel adds, "Some do think you were, in fact, too gracious."
Malon raises her eyebrows, she glances at Nabooru, who simply stares off, seemingly bored. Some in the hall snap their fingers in response to Sorrel's statement – Zora and Goron stare with confusion at the gesture, one Goron tries snapping his fingers but can't figure it out. A Zora leans over to try to show him how.
Malon adds, "It has not been in the public record, so I do thank you for bringing it up, Sorrel. While everyone knows, we should make public note that the reason for exile was attempted assassination and conspiracy. Do any other representatives have statements about it?"
she looks around. The councillors all shake their heads."Well, we should have everyone at least make some statement."
Malon says. "For the record."
Baron straightens."Fallowers approve the way it was handled. Nothing further."
Makaru shifts."The Zora don't have any stake in the issue."
He says quietly.
Malon looks to Dreza.
Dreza is quiet for a while, her hands folded in her lap."The Gerudo have no stake in the matter."
She says.
Everyone looks to Kyruk, who bristles."Well, ma'am, I think you handled the issue excellently! An assassination attempt is quite serious, and no one should have an issue with how you responded to an attempt on your own life!"
Kryuk looks around nervously, adding, "At least, no Deku scrubs would, that is certain!"
Darduk simply waves a hand, saying "No comment."
Malon's lips tighten and she glances at him.
The room is quiet.
Malon looks around, adjusts her blouse."Thank you, Sorrel. Does anyone else have comments on any other issues?"
She asks, forcing a smile. People shift.
A younger Gerudo steps forward, looking around, then addressing Malon. "Who are these men at Lake Hylia?"
Everyone winces at the name.
Malon glances to Baron, who sees her look expectantly. Baron clears his throat. "They are Garo - assistants of various outlander merchants and citizens who have been visiting -"
he pauses, trying to read the room. "They are peaceful. In Abelle, it is common for even average citizens to have bodyguards, apparently. It's strange, but most councillors have spoken with them and determined they are safe."
"The South Lake,"
he pauses deliberately, "Is still open to anyone, and there is no reason to worry about the Garo. If anything, they are friendly and helpful. They are, in fact, as some of you know, the ones who proactively helped us all by blocking the canyon, ensuring we are safe from…"
he pauses again, this time betraying discomfort."Yorai's clan."
The young Gerudo says, arms folded.
Baron nods."So they are allies?"
Baron's mouth opens.
Nabooru speaks up. "Allies don't exist."
she says flatly.
The room is quiet, everyone looking at her.
After a while, Baron clears his throat. "Well, that is a philosophical statement. Regardless, they are neutral. That is what the council believes until any evidence otherwise comes up. If anything, we do encourage people to visit the Garo and become familiar."
"Aye."
the Gerudo responds, rather quickly.
Nabooru stretches. Malon glances a bit oddly at her, although Nabooru just pours herself tea from the pitcher on the coffee table in front of her.
A young Zora steps forward – Nabooru recognizes her as one of the three who had come out of the barn with the Moblin at the festival. Nabooru looks her up and down, eyebrows raised."Hi, well, I was just wondering, why are Moblin not here?"
Nabooru lets out a light chuckle, looking at Zarah, who smiles. Zarah speaks up, "I agree, the Moblin should be represented and welcome!"
Malon looks awkwardly to Zarah, then to Baron.
Baron scratches the side of his neck."The Gerudo have veto on that issue. Are you calling for a vote?"
The Zora girl looks around, eyes fluttering, "Yes, let's!"
Baron sighs, turning and walking to the Deku scribe. "It will be a day or two before we can send out ballots-"
he starts, but Dreza interrupts. "I'll find a representative among them and they will have representation. The Gerudo have no issue with them; some of us and Zora already trade and talk with them regularly."
Baron looks back at her skeptically. He looks at Malon, who shrugs. "If no councillors object."
"I don't."
Darduk says, waving a hand again.
Makaru shrugs."No objection."
Kyruk says, oddly shortly."I have none."
Baron says.
A few people cough, some leaving."Alright. Well, it seems some folks are getting restless,"
Malon says, "We will wrap up then? I would say,"
she stands, facing the crowd, "We also would appreciate prior notice from anyone who wants to address the forum. It isn't required, but it would help to have some structure."
A few more people begin to make their way out.
Baron approaches Malon, "Do you think people are upset about the Moblin?"
Malon frowns, shaking her head. "No. They're just bored. I am too."
she says, letting out a slight laugh. Baron raises an eyebrow.
Some folks linger in the hall chatting, the Zora girl fauns over the Moblin to Dreza, who seems amused. "Things kind of fell apart -"
Baron starts, although Malon waves. "Good. I have things to do before the council meeting tonight anyway."
Baron kind of shrugs, heading over to the Deku scribe.
More people file out, Nabooru and Zarah head out together.
Impa and Dreza sit in the pavilion, the evening sun darting north through it. Tonight, the camp had Hyrule Loach for dinner.
Moonfish, rather.
Two Sheikah from the north partition sit with a Zora and Gerudo at a table across the pavilion."You don't know anything about Garo?"
Dreza asks.
Impa looks out across the field. "I don't. I've never seen or even heard of them coming here. Deku scrubs and merchants had told stories of them."
Dreza brushes a lock of her bangs aside. "What kind of stories?"
"Nothing eventful. The scrubs were always terrified of them, but scrubs are scared of water and cuckoos. Hylian merchants, well..."
"They didn't have much to say, they just found it odd that even outlanders who weren't rich hired Garo to help with even simple things."
She shrugs again. "Maybe we Hylians are the weird ones."
Dreza sips coffee, looking off into the forest behind the new kitchen."I can't argue with that."
She says, although she looks to Impa, smiling lightly. Impa smiles back, resting her face in her hand."Drinking coffee this late?"
Dreza looks up to the ceiling breifly, then back at Impa."Zarah and I have some things we have to do tonight."
"You've known her a long time, huh?"
Impa asks.
Dreza nods. "Some of my oldest memories are her as a young one."
Impa rubs the side of her chin with her thumb."You ever had arguments?"
She asks.
Dreza looks a bit taken off guard, but Impa just looks off."Of course. I can't stay mad at her though."
"Did she usually start the arguments?"
Dreza's brow furrows slightly. "Well, I suppose."
She tilts her head. "It's never bothered me too much though. She usually gets her way, regardless."
"Why do you ask?"
Impa looks at her breifly."You don't seem worried about her getting close with Malon and Nabooru. I guess it surprises me, because you often seem so protective."
"Ah."
Dreza says."Well… I don't think it will last. All three of them seem…"
Dreza trails off."Has Nabooru told you about Malon?"
Impa asks, looking at Dreza's empty plate.
Dreza's hands are folded in her lap under the table, her head tilted to the side. "Yeah. She worked with Ganondorf. Has a pet poe."
Dreza says. "She's weird."
"Malon can't be killed. She is invincible."
Dreza's mouth goes crooked."Who would want to kill her?"
Impa runs both hands through her hair, letting out a laugh."That's your question? You aren't curious how she...?"
Dreza just looks down at the table.
She scratches the back of her neck and shrugs."I don't know how Sheikah stuff works.
Gerudo magic has similar spells."
Impa stares at Dreza."How do you know she is using Sheikah magic?"
Dreza looks at her, mouth open."I guess... I don't."
"We can sense Gerudo magic. She doesn't use it, so it must be Sheikah. Maybe it is something else? Does she talk to the Garo?"
Impa sighs, looking down.
For a while, they sit quietly."You think I'm lying."
Dreza says.
Impa stares at the ground under the table."Impa…"
Dreza sighs.
They sit together quietly for a long time. Just the light breeze, the golden sunlight shining on the table and refracting through Impa's cup.
Impa looks up, out to the capital.
Dreza looks at her."I guess, I'm going to bed."
Impa says.
Despite this, she sits with Dreza for a while longer.
"Do you keep notes?"
Malon asks.
Zarah glances up, although mostly to look Malon up and down."Umm. No."
Malon sighs."You really should."
Malon chops vegetables.
Zarah admires the view, she shakes her head."It helps you be more thorough."
Zarah stretches in her chair at the dining table. With the new plenary hall finished, the farmhouse's main room feels oddly empty and large. Baron and Talon's door is open, the two of them discussing something. Cuckoos cluck and peck in the loft above.
Zarah's lips purse a bit and she looks at the back of Malon's head. She drinks water, but joins Malon at the counter, reaching up into the cupboard for tea. "I don't write if I can help it. Writing things down - "
Zarah says, filling a kettle at the keg on the counter. "Curses the words. It changes what they mean forever. The more you read them back, the less they mean."
Malon glances sideways at Zarah, dropping sliced carrots into a bowl and beginning to slice sweet potatoes. Her mouth hangs open, but she shakes her head. "Still. Even if its just little things, to remind yourself, or to make it easier to share with me or the council."
She adds, watching Zarah walking to the stove and placing the kettle, "If you don't, I will – but it would be better first hand."
Malon watches Zarah for a while, but returns to cutting. Zarah glances to Talon and Baron's room breifly, then steps over, grabbing Malon between the legs. Malon tenses and flushes, although continues slowly. "I'll do what I want."
Zarah says, exhaling a gentle laugh.
Malon rolls her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Yes, sweetie."
she says somewhat breathlessly, feeling Zarah's head rest against her back. Malon gulps, twitching a little."Malon."
She hears Talon call from the room.
Zarah retreats quickly to the table. Malon turns, seeing Baron and Talon haven't left their room. She walks past Zarah, ruffling her hair and breifly kissing her on the forehead, Zarah grumbling."What is it, Talon?"
Malon asks, approaching the door.
Baron and Talon sit around a desk and Malon approaches, looking down. "What do you think?"
Talon asks. Malon looks over blueprints for an expansion of the farmhouse, smiling gently at Talon's distinctive sketchy lines and nearly incomprehensible scrawl."Looks great."
she says, smiling.
Talon smiles. "We can get started today. Some Hy-"
he pauses, "Fallowers, a few of them, they offered to help with any future construction. It probably won't take long with seven people."
Malon tilts her head."Huh."
Talon looks at Baron, who says, "Well, I'm heading out."
Baron puts a hand on Talon's shoulder, they kiss breifly, and Baron leaves with a rare, gentle smile."Everyone is grateful. I almost feel like they are too grateful."
Talon says, seeing Malon staring off. Talon shrugs. "Hard to believe it when things turn out so good."
Malon looks at him and eventually smiles lightly."It is. I won't be complain, though."
Talon stands, Malon rubs her forehead."I'll go talk to them."
He says, heading to the door. Malon follows."Well, I do think I'll be taking a nap for a while."
She says as they walk into the main room of the farmhouse. Zarah is gone.
Talon heads to the door, "We'll find something to keep us busy then,"
he says turning as he opens the door, "sleep well, missy."
He says with a smile. Malon smiles back, blushing slightly, despite being alone.
She stands for a while, then goes to the kitchen to see the stove flame out. She looks to the door for a while, but makes her way up to her room.
Unsure of why, she had expected Zarah to be there, although her room is empty.
She closes the door, and, walking to the bed, sees Zarah's basket, empty.
Looking around, she hears the gold skulltula somewhere in the corner across from her bed. She sighs, walking over. Looking down, though, she pauses. The skulltula is in the box where Malon had put the Lakeside Lab documents and notes. It is wrapped around a particular page. Malon slowly reaches down, a look of disgust, and takes the paper. It is the page of notes where the Mizuumi had described the construction of the water temple.
She glares at the skulltula, sighing."Why do you care?"
She asks.
Malon's brow furrows and she stares at the skulltula, as if impatient for a response. She sighs again, turning and bringing the basket over. "I need a nap. Don't bother me. I'll look into it later."
She drops the basket and, walking over to her bed, drops the page on her desk, flopping onto her bed and crawling up. She opens the two windows and lays on her back, stretching, resting her hands behind her head and sighing.
She falls asleep easily, despite the humid summer air.
Zarah and Dreza play cards in the pavilion, Akashi watches. Sahran and a few other Gerudo work on the new kitchen construction. Dreza sighs, folding her hand. "Really?"
Akashi says, "Dreza, you can still win."
Dreza shakes her head, pointing to a card on the table.
Akashi lets out an "Aw…"
"You could team up against me."
Zarah offers.
Dreza purses her lips. She turns to Akashi, who gives her a quick kiss and smiles, "I wouldn't mind trying I guess."
Dreza blushes."Should I deal?"
Zarah begins pulling the cards, stacking and facing them. "I can."
Dreza sets her hand down across the table, resting a head on her hand, leaning over the table and tapping her foot."Hey Impa,"
Akashi says, waving as she sees Impa leave her tent.
Impa looks back and half-waves, although wanders with a towel and bottle of soap to the showers. Dreza turns and watches her go breifly, then back."Has she still never talked about why she was exiled?"
Zarah asks, shuffling. Dreza watches Zarah's hands as Akashi puts a hand on Dreza's shoulder and leans her head against it.
Dreza sighs. "She hasn't."
Zarah taps the deck loudly on the table, Dreza winces a bit.
Continuing to shuffle, Zarah shrugs,"She killed Zelda."
Zarah taps again, cutting the deck and dealing.
Akashi picks up her cards, but Dreza just stares, mouth open.
Zarah looks at Dreza, snickering a little.
Dreza stares a while longer, eventually taking a deep breath and picking up her hand. "You've really gone insane, haven't you."
she says, shaking her head. Zarah laughs lightly, already playing a card."Not insane enough to kill a Goddess."
she shrugs.
Dreza shakes her head.
Akashi had looked back and forth to the two of them, confused."You or Ash can go next."
Zarah says.
Dreza, looking at her hand, then to Akashi's, gestures for Akashi to take a turn. Akashi stares for a while intently, and eventually slowly lays down a card, looking to Dreza, who nods.
Malon and Zarah ride into the clearing of Lake Hylia."You know, that horse belonged to Link."
Malon says, looking ahead. Zarah turns, only just now realizing Malon had always looked at the horse strangely – and the horse had looked to her oddly as well."Who?"
Malon's eyes flicker breifly to Zarah, then back."Her name is Epona."
Malon says.
Malon and Missy stop.
Looking to the island in the middle of the lake, they see a dock built out.
Looking at the bridges, which have been repaired now, the two of them, Zarah now stopped as well, see some sort of rock stood up in the middle of the island like a massive tombstone.
For a while, they simply sit and stare.
Zarah breifly looks at Malon, who just stares.
An uncommon flock of guay fly southwest across the orange sky. Frogs and bugs chirp and hum. The two look to the tents of the Garo - three lanterns hang on poles outside.
Malon takes a deep breath and guides Missy behind the Lab building toward the bridge. Zarah and Epona follow slowly, Zarah still staring back at the lanterns outside the Garo's tents.
Malon, having gotten down, seems to try to read Missy, who doesn't seem startled or skiddish.
Zarah, getting down as well, notices Epona seems somber.
The two look at eachother. Malon looks north, seeing the blocked off canyon further up North.
Turning and beginning to walk across the bridge, Zarah catches up."Do you think its dangerous still?"
Zarah asks.
Zarah watches Malon, occasionally glancing to the tents, which Malon ignores. She doesn't respond.
They approach an outcrop with a tombstone.
Malon doesn't stop, though Zarah does. "What is this-"
"Come on."
Malon says from ahead.
Zarah's brow furrows. She scratches her ear, tilting her head for a moment but walking quickly to catch up again."Why are you in such a hurry?"
"It's getting dark. The horses don't want to be out late."
Looking back, Zarah sees that the familiar fog of the lowland field is slowly forming in the evening light, encroaching slowly."Are you okay?"
Zarah asks.
A few yards from the island, Malon stops.
She scratches the back of her head and turns around.
Zarah looks at her, the two standing silently for a while.
Zarah looks off to the island, past Malon.
They stand quietly.
Malon sighs, stepping forward and taking Zarah's hand.
They both look down to the moss and algae and plants along the edge of the swamp, and up to the treeline.
Suprising her, Malon ruffles Zarah's hair."Hey…"
Zarah smiles.
Malon smiles too, taking a deep breath. She steps forward and hugs her, Zarah appreciating the warmth in the cooling but humid evening air.
The two hear a click on the island.
They hold eachother for just a few moments more, then both turn, seeing three Garo standing next to the large stone. They stand looking down around it.
Malon kisses the side of Zarah's head, breifly, then starts to walk toward the island. Zarah exhales, following. The Garo don't respond immediately as Zarah and Malon walk up to them. Looking down, the two see a hole in front of the large stone.
The Garo turn.
One approaches, presenting its hands.
Malon and Zarah look at the other two Garo and approach.
In its hands, two Ocarinas.
One pinkish, the other blue.
Malon looks up at the Garo, who doesn't react, then down again.
Malon looks to Zarah. "Do you want them?"
Zarah shrugs and grabs them."Sure,"
she says, looking them over.
Malon looks at Zarah, in a blink, the Garo are gone.
The two both instinctively look to the tents at the shore, where the three Garo take their lanterns from the stakes and head into their tents.
Zarah looks back to Malon, smiling.
Malon raises an eyebrow."Let's go."
she says, walking to the hole.
A ladder stretches down.
We can get across with this.”
Where did you get that?” Malon asks, looking at the triforce emblem on the hookshot.
Deku scrub. 20 rupees.”
You know, actually-” she pauses,
You should shoot it. I’ll hold onto you.”
What does it do?”
Oh.”
Longshot.” Zarah smiles, walking closer. Malon looks down at her, eventually putting out her hand.
Just gonna stare at it all night?”
Alright, hold on then.”
Not like that. You’ll choke me,” She says, moving Zarah’s left hand under her left arm, “
There.” She says, turning back.
Grab your own wrists. Its stronger than locking your fingers.” Malon says, again looking back breifly. She pulls the trigger and the hookshot rapidly deploys and pulls them up and across the gap.
So, that should be where Morpha was.” Zarah says, a bit slowly.
Lead the way.” Malon says softly.
We should probably go one at a time here.” Malon says.
Those don’t look as sturdy as the other one.”
You can toss it down to me once you get up?” She asks, one hand on her hip. Zarah looks at her, then down at the hookshot Malon holds out to her. She pauses breifly before taking it, positioning herself and aiming at the pillar.
I feel weird.” Zarah says a bit quietly.
You are weird,” she says, smiling and ruffling Zarah’s hair again. Zarah smiles, exhaling a bit, not realizing she had held her breath a bit long.
Yeah well, so are you,” she says, with a cute, restrained smile.
Oh, Din…”
That was so close. So close, Oh Din… I can’t believe it worked.”
The luck I mean. None of the traps hit me.” Zarah says.
Well,” Malon says, extending a hand and helping Zarah up, “
lets hope the other isn’t broken too? Do you want me to go?” Zarah looks up to her, shaking her head.
Well,” Malon says, “
I am heavier, it’d be a better test.”
Ah, that’s true I guess.” she says, handing Malon the hookshot.
Thanks, I’ll be needing it.” Malon says, elbowing Zarah lightly before facing the other target. Before Zarah can say anything, Malon shoots and is pulled up quickly, bracing herself and landing easily at the top of the slope.
Seems good,” she says, having to yell a bit over the sound of the blade traps, “
Can you catch?”
This place seems so much older than those papers made it sound like.”
Zarah.”
Malon.”
You know its not free.” Malon says softly, rubbing her thumb slowly under Zarah’s eye. Zarah inhales slowly, biting her lip. “
Seemed like a good deal to me.” she says, smiling.
I have to make sure. It might hurt a little.”
I hope it does.”
Don’t touch me unless I say you can” girl quickly puts its hands behind its back. waits patiently, breathing. Eyes closed nice.
You’re doing very good, Zarah.” – “
I know”
Malon, I-”
It’s cold in here.” Zarah says.
I know... Ugh. Let’s come back some other time.”
Every guard and the few trained Fallowers, a dozen Gerudo, stand ready outside and against the wall of the North partition, facing the northwest woods.
Nabooru stands ahead, staring out with a spyglass
A front along the edge of the woods is made up of Stalfos and Gerudo from the Fortress – the moon shimmering off of armor that glows faintly, the field - uncommonly now - without fog.
The front stands armed but still.
Nabooru finally sees Yorai emerge from the trees behind,
with Anju.
The two of them, pale as the moon itself;
pale as Stalfos bones.
Yorai, however, although it is hard to tell in the moonlight, seem to have taken on a colder dark, almost grayish skin tone - similar to Zarah and Dreza's.
Yorai and Anju pace breifly, then look out toward Allon before speaking to eachother.
Nabooru looks to Dreza by her side."They have been there for an hour. There is no way they can win, even with the Stalfos."
Dreza says.
Nabooru shakes her head."They have something up their sleeve, clearly."
An Allonian guard stands beside the two of them."We have something up our sleeve as well."
He says.
Nabooru and Dreza look at him, although they quickly look as they see light at the base of Death Mountain. They can make out large torches moving, and Nabooru looks with her spyglass to see some two or three dozen Moblin heading toward Allon.
Nabooru looks at the guard, then glances northwest, retracting her spyglass. The guard says, "Zora archers as well are already positioned as well."
Nabooru simply looks off to the northwest.
The guard adds, "We sent for Malon and Zarah, although they seem to still be at the Water Temple. None of our men may enter."
Nabooru contemplates, a hand to her mouth. She looks at Dreza."I'll go - with two Moblin and Dreza."
Dreza nods.
The guard stiffens."You won't be allowed to sacrifice yourself, Nabooru - "
Nabooru glares at him."What sacrifice? You think I'm stupid?"
The guard seems to stammer, which she ignores, adding,"An ambush is shameful and they know they are outnumbered. They will parley. Stand everyone down."
The guard drops his head, bowing."Sorry, ma'am."
"Don't call me ma'am."
"Nabooru. Of course."
Nabooru and Dreza exchange a glance, looking to the northwest front, then to the Moblin approaching, both taking a deep breath.
The orange glow of torches flickers across the heads and shoulders of Allonian guards, Gerudo and a few Sheikah as two Moblin approach Dreza and Nabooru. Dreza scratches the back of her head.
Nabooru stares northwest, but glances to the Moblin approaching.
The guard leads them.
Nabooru begins walking forward, the guard looks to Dreza, who shrugs and follows. The Moblin look at eachother and follow as well. The four of them walk, Nabooru and Dreza slightly ahead - at Nabooru's gesture, the Moblin hang back a ways.
As the four are a few yards out from the Allon front, they do stop and turn, tense, hearing horses approaching from the south.
Nabooru takes a deep breath, seeing Malon and Zarah riding with a couple guards on horseback, convening with the front.
The two quickly step down from their horses and make their way to the four, surely having been informed on the situation.
Malon gives a rather inappropriately casual wave as she approaches with Zarah, who looks on wide-eyed.
Zarah stands on the bridge to Kokiri forest, watching fireflies and fairies. It is almost sunset out in the lowlands, and the forest is blue under the canopy of trees. Looking out into the forest, she takes in the cool air of the forest, the smell of moss and plants that she has started to love.
She hadn't seen Fado the last time she wandered past the Deku Tree sprout's meadow, and it might be too late in the evening now to head deeper into the forest. She still had never run into anything other than some Deku Baba and Skulltulas.
She sighs, turning to leave. Of course, as she does, she hears someone from the forest gate."Zarah."
She turns to see Fado standing with a hand on the bridge's rope railing."Oh, hey."
Zarah says. "How are you?"
The two look at eachother, although both feel strange. As if they are looking through ghosts. Fado glances into the distance where Zarah had been looking.
Zarah looks at Fado for a while through the thick silence of the forest.
Fado looks down, and Zarah realizes her fairy isn't around.
She feels a lump in her throat.
She walks toward Fado, who puts a hand on her stomach, wincing.
Zarah stops."Fado?"
Zarah watches. Fado rubs her forehead, shaking her head."I'm sorry,"
she says, but trails off.
Zarah slowly steps closer, seeing that Fado seems weak, shaky."Where is... your fairy?"
Zarah asks, wincing."It's not..."
Fado starts, but just takes deep breaths."I can stay with you, Fado. Are you sick?"
Fado's mouth twitches, she takes another deep breath, then turns to Zarah."I think..."
She pauses, closing her eyes."My fairy left. I think that is what is making me feel this way."
Zarah looks at Fado, who opens her eyes and stares out into the forest.
Zarah realizes her fists are clenched, her muscles tense. She takes a few deep breaths."We have some people in town, they know about medicines and things,"
Zarah offers, "I can bring one of them to see you."
Fado slowly turns.
They look at eachother for a while.
After a few moments, Fado looks down."Will you take me?"
Zarah nods right away. "Of course."
Fado looks up to her, "I'll bring you there, you'll be safe. I promise."
Fado smiles faintly."Didn't the Deku Tree sprout have anything to say?"
Fado shakes her head, pausing and looking at their hands.
Zarah sees her tearing up, although holding back."I..."
Fado's voice cracks, but she clears her throat, starting to walk up to Zarah, "I can't understand him anymore."
"What do you mean? He protects you all, doesn't he?"
Fado nods, "Yes, but... When he talks, I can't understand what he is saying. Sometimes... sometimes I can't understand the other Kokiri either."
As they approach, Fado looks up and flinches at Epona, stopping.
Zarah looks at her."Oh. This is my horse, Fado. Her name is Epona."
Zarah explains.
Fado looks at her afraid, taking a few steps back.
Zarah smiles. "Epona is a good girl, she'll carry us into town,"
although Fado looks at Zarah, then back to the horse, still scared."Look, she's nice."
Zarah says, walking to Epona and petting her neck. "Almost everyone rides horses, Epona is a really nice horse. We can go slow, or just walk, though, if you want."
Fado's lips tighten. For a while she stares at Zarah, then Epona, then back a few times. "I guess."
She trails off."Here, look."
Zarah says, turning, Fado watching her climb onto Epona. "We can ride like this, you can hold onto me."
She says, gesturing. "If you don't want to though, we can just walk together."
Zarah looks down at Fado, who stares at Epona with her mouth covered. She eventually looks up to Zarah, and steps forward. "Okay. Well... How slow can you go?"
Zarah rubs Epona's neck, letting out a very quiet low whistle, and Epona takes a few steps forward slowly, Zarah looking to Fado, who looks shocked."Like this? Whatever is okay with you."
She says, stopping Epona, having made a small semicircle around Fado.
Fado nods. "That's okay..."
She takes a deep breath again, stepping toward Zarah."Okay..."
Zarah reaches down. "Put your foot there, to boost, grab my arms, I'll lift you up."
Fado reaches up to grab her hand.
Nabooru walks alongside Epona – Fado holding on to Zarah as they pass the Fallow gate. Kids play around the outside of the town walls, some Fallowers grilling as usual, women knitting, a Gerudo or Goron here and there wandering in or out of the gates probably trading, a covered wagon leaving the Gerudo camp by the river in the distance heading to the partition as most have decided to move into the town.
Along the tall stone walls, Fado and Zarah slowly ride, Nabooru walking ahead turning to the partition gate – much more Gerudo and Sheikah in the garden outside and the partition itself somewhat loud with construction still underway on a few homes and the lookout towers. The three round the corner of the gate, just a few doors down inside to the midwives' building –Gerudo entirely, though not stone or tent but a new style of wooden construction - wood in the desert used sparingly for decks, mineshafts and shrines - Dreza and others in the lowlands being now free to design with wood had become enamored with a cabinesque style though including what some Fallower carpenters saw as a rather gaudy, baroque ornamentalism of carved wood embellishments of lowland Gerudo carpentry – further seen as distasteful for its blending of woods hard and soft; spruce interlocking ash, hemlock framed by birch, and worst of all, a particular imported ebony inlayed with common mesquite of the lowlands.
Fado, having still only looked down to the ground, does glance up as they slow, chin leaving Zarah's shoulderblade."I'll take her back to the stables."
Nabooru says, the three stopped outside the midwifery. Epona bows, as Zarah, with a breif glance to Fado, who leans back, quickly drops from the side. Fado follows, holding the saddle and descending much more awkwardly – Zarah awkwardly grabbing her sides but retreating as the girl lets go of the saddle, barely keeping herself upright upon meeting the ground."It's alright."
Fado says, standing awkwardly, seeing Zarah reach to her hand, the two then turning to the beaded curtain slung aside which opens into the building. Nabooru guides Epona back, as the girls walk inside – scents of oils and waxes and soaps wafting from within and the wood of the building itself faintly aromatic, a contrast to the smell of the partition all dirt and ash. A few Gerudo sit at a small table playing cards of course, inside the foyer room of the single story lodge, with only one glancing up.
Zarah and Fado look at eachother, then to the woman who stands, wordlessly gesturing them around a narrow hall.
Fado looks around curiously despite her weakness, the short hall so densely adorned with driftwood, macrame, beadwork and other crafts which hang against the parquetted walls - ornate and slender windows allow narrow glimpses of the partition streets outside, Fado thinks, like peeking through the trees of the forest canopy.
Passing by two doors, the two duck past a parted heavy drape, the hall opening to another smaller foyer with windows rather lining the tops of the walls, where Malon and an older, grayer Gerudo sit, now looking up and wordlessly pulling up a chair for each of the girls.
Seeing Fado, the Gerudo gestures, walking toward and showing Fado a couch to lie on – the girl offering a deep bow and sitting, then reclining. The Gerudo brings her a glass of water and chips, which the girl stares at with furrowed brow, yet softly smiles and nods to the woman before leaning back, her arms crossing over her stomach.
Malon and the Gerudo look at eachother, then to Zarah, whos mouth pulls to the side – just then the four of them hearing two soft voices approach from behind a drape. Nabooru and another Gerudo emerge, quieting and glancing with some worry at the four in the room.
The six stand awkwardly in the foyer while Fado looks around at the ornamentation of the room. "Well."
Nabooru starts.
She glances, her mouth open, to the table at which Malon and the older Gerudo sit. Malon stands, grabbing and depositing in her shoulder bag some satchel from the table and quickly wandering out.
Nabooru's eyes follow Malon, her mouth still agape awkwardly, then, Malon's footsteps disappearing down the hall, she glances to the older Gerudo who has already stood up and begun to leave.
Zarah and Nabooru exchange a particular look, before all turn to Fado as the elder Gerudo has left through the draped doorway. The girl still looks around the room with wide eyes."It is very pretty, this place."
The three Gerudo exchange a look.
Nabooru leaves abruptly.
By the river, just down from the waterfall, the two sit, watching Gerudo and Zora kids play and parents talk. Makaru had just left, saying he would be back soon."What is she like?"
Malon asks.
Zarah glances at her, then continues to work on macrame."Creepy."
Malon lifts her knees, folding her arms across and resting her chin."I mean, what did you talk about with her?"
"Not much. Like I said, I just gave her the red ice. She talked about it for a bit, then showed me the different fish and things in her tanks. Some of them are cool, I guess. She's just creepy though."
"Do you think I'm creepy?"
Zarah looks with furrowed brows. "No. She is… Idunno."
"Did she seem angry?"
"No. She was… just really obsessed with the fish and everything, telling me all about their life cycles and stuff."
"Why are you asking so much about her, got a crush?"
Malon blushes noticeably, her eyes widening and she sighs heavily. "Zarah, I have enough on my plate already."
Zarah, not looking up, quips, "That wasn't a no."
Malon clears her throat."What are you going to do today?"
"Nothing. Well. Maybe I'll go to Death Mountain, talk to Eamond about this game we came up with. Shooting bomb flowers."
"Eamond?"
Zarah does look to her."You met him? He was at the festival."
"Is that where you met him?"
"Yeah. He's so quiet for a Moblin."
Malon taps her arm with a finger, watching Zarah work."Has he said anything about me?"
"No. Wait. You didn't…"
"No! No no. I just wondered. How the Moblin feel about Allon and everything."
Zarah shrugs. "He's not a good example, he's weird. Most of them don't really care, they're just happy to have Dodongo and be back on the Mountain."
"Back?"
Zarah briefly looks up. "Well, yeah. It used to be their home before the Goron. You didn't know that?"
Malon takes a deep breath, leaning back."I did not…"
"He told you that?"
Zarah nods.
They sit for a while more, the cool breeze from the river picking up graciously in the heat."So do you visit him often?"
"I suppose, yeah. He likes the Gold Skulltula, he doesn't like that the other Moblin hunt and kill them, so we have saved a few together."
"What is the game?"
"So,"
Zarah looks up, gesturing, "the big wall of stone along the North trail, nobody really uses the trail. At the bottom, theres a pond. I had him throw a bomb up, and I'd shoot it with my bow. It's not a game we could do at the festival or anything, but maybe some Fallow people and Gerudo would like it."
"You're going to ruin the trail, Zarah."
"No, no, the bombs aren't lit. They do go off if you shoot them, but… Well, the trail is hard stone, Eamond even said they tried to blast it a few times and it didn't work. That's why the trail isn't used much, because it isn't done really, they can't break the rock up there."
"You tried bombing it?"
"Yeah, that's how we came up with the game. The rock is some hard black marble. It doesn't even chip."
"What's the game?"
Zarah pauses."Well… Idunno. I guess just see how many you can shoot and make go off?"
she shrugs. "I guess maybe… You could do it in rounds, like… best of three rounds, and three chances each round…"
Zarah puts a finger to her chin. "I guess that wouldn't be any different than best of nine… Well… Maybe there could be teams?"
Malon looks skeptically. "Sounds like you just want an excuse to throw around bombs and shoot things."
"I don't know!"
Zarah says. "It's fun! Wouldn't you want to?"
Malon shakes her head. "It'd be so loud…"
Zarah sighs. "Idunno. Well, maybe we could have fireworks for whoever wins. I don't know how to come up with a sport, I guess I do just think its fun. No Moblin or anyone else can play Goron basketball, so Eamond and I thought it'd be cool to have a Moblin sport."
"Huh…"
Malon thinks."So you visit him a lot?"
Zarah looks up again, shaking her head. "I mean, yeah. He's a thoughtful Moblin. He's kinda like Dreza, too, coming up with different designs for things to build."
"What else do you do?"
Zarah shrugs. "We just talk. Wander around the mountain."
Zarah looks at Malon "Are you… jealous?"
Malon blushes again. "Of what!?"
Zarah shakes her head. "You need some hobbies."
Malon opens her mouth, but closes it.
She looks up.
Some guay wander lazily overhead.