XVIII: A Comforting Gerudo

Before the Calamity

(Flash forward to Gerudo Town)

(Disclaimer: Events and Some Dialogue in this chapter belong to Nintendo)

Zelda's POV:

"I don't understand it, Urbosa."

As I sat with the Gerudo Champion on board Vah Naboris, I nearly let all of my emotions flow out of me at once.

"One minute, I'm convinced maybe he feels something, and the next minute, he nearly refuses to look at me! I thought I understood him for a moment on the ride but it seems I will never truly understand him. No matter how much time we spend together, I won't ever know what he's thinking. My only hope is... that one day, Link and I will be able to live without the stress of the Calamity. Maybe we can live normally and I can finally understand what lies beneath the Hylian Champion's surface and what goes through his mind."

Urbosa smirked at me before cackling quietly.

I looked at her, confused at why she was laughing after I told her that.

"Oh, my little bird," she said, "I know what's happening here."

She lifted up my hand and held it in both of hers.

"Everything that happens in this world," she began, "It all happens for a reason. There's not one thing that occurs that wasn't supposed to. I can tell, even in this early stage, how you feel about him. You love Link, don't you?"

I gasped, feeling immediately exposed. "Well... " I stammered. "I wouldn't say-"

"Ha ha!" Urbosa laughed. "You can't fool me, child. I would know, spending the amount of time you two spend together doesn't amount to nothing." She winked at me.

I could feel the heat pulsate through my cheeks as I turned away, trying to hide my blushing.

"Love is rare, Zelda. If you and Link truly love each other, you will work it out. Don't give up on him."

I thought on those words for a while. Maybe she was right... But if I let him back in, I'm just giving him an opportunity to hurt me again! He certainly took that opportunity last time...

I changed the subject, feeling slightly overwhelmed by that topic.

"You still remember mother, right?"

Urbosa smiled at the mention of my mother. "Of course I do. How could I forget her, my little bird? Her smile was the brightest thing that graced these lands of Hyrule. She was a true friend."

I smiled hearing someone talk pleasantly about her. I missed her a lot.

"Mother always told me that I was important. She said one day I would grow up and use the sealing power that I was foretold to have to banish Calamity Ganon. But I cannot harness it! No matter how long I train or how long I pray, I prove unworthy of this power. I can only assume that something is wrong with me."

Urbosa let go of my hand and placed hers on my shoulder.

"How can you assume such things? Link, the Hero chosen by the sword, has certainly proved worthy of his destiny. What makes you think you are not capable of achieving yours?"

"That just it, Urbosa!" I said, my voice laced with frustration. "Link has most certainly shown he is capable of saving Hyrule... But I have not! Every time I see him I just think of how I have fallen short. He carries his sword so valiantly and effortlessly that I fear I will never measure up..."

"You must not be so hard on yourself, my child. You have worked so hard... It will not be in vain. Be patient, have courage. Hylia has not forgotten about you, I am sure of it."

Her words resonated inside of me, bringing me a warm and calming feeling. 

"Thank you, Urbosa," I said, gently smiling at her. "I won't give up."

I rested my head on her shoulder- Urbosa was like a second mother to me. I stared off into the vast desert and the soothing noise of the small sand storms lulled me to sleep...

♦

"Ah!"

I gasped as I woke up suddenly to a strike of lightning. 

"Urbosa! What was that?" I turned around in panic and saw Link standing next to us.

Link? What was he doing here?

"Wh- What are you doing here?" I asked him.

Urbosa laughed heartily as I looked around confused.

"Urbosa... What's so funny?"