Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 22

The next morning Zelda was acting no warmer towards Link than she had the night before. When they had started heading off Zelda had refused to even look in his general direction and if she had to talk to him she never addressed him by name and she sounded annoyed. Apparently Zelda didn't know that Link hadn't told anyone about her rebellious run away. Link had tried telling her several times but each time she would just start walking faster and Link would cut himself off. He wasn't any more excited to be going back to Gerudo town either. Not only was the walk through the desert long and grueling but Link also wasn't allowed to go inside. He figured once they got there he could try and talk to Chief Urbosa to see if she could make any exceptions for him since Link knew Zelda was just going in there to get away from her knight.

The trip to the desert was long and, despite the warm weather, Princess Zelda remained extremely icy. Link had continued to tell Zelda that he hadn't told her father anything but she refused to listen. When they reached the stable Zelda dropped off their horses and started towards the desert. When Link started after Zelda she crossed her arms and scoffed. Link let out a sigh before jogging to her side. "Listen, Princess, I've been trying to tell you all day but-"

"I don't want to hear it," Zelda snapped, "stop talking to me."

Link's shoulders dropped before he cleared his throat. "No, I mean..." Zelda started speeding up. "I didn't tell your father what happened!" Link blurted.

Zelda slowed down and glanced over her shoulder. "What? So you told your father then?"

Link shook his head. "I didn't tell anyone, Princess."

Zelda's eyes shifted to her shoes but she didn't say anything. Link however could sense the coldness around her diminished slightly. Perhaps Link was able to make a little bit of progress.

The rest of the trek through the desert was eventless and when they reached outside of Gerudo town Zelda continued through the entrance and Link stopped just short. "Excuse me," he said to the guards, "but is there a chance I can speak with Lady Urbosa?"

One of the guards exhaled and shared a glance with her companion. "Go get the chief so this voe can speak with her." The guard nodded and turned into the city. Link tried looking inside but the remaining guard stepped in his line of view with a glare on her face. Link and the Gerudo guard stood staring at one another for at least five minutes before a voice called out.

"I apologize for taking so long, Link. I was speaking with the princess when you sent for me. Is everything alright?"

Link gestured away from the guard and he and Urbosa walked a few yards away. "I have a few concerns with the princess." Urbosa nodded and Link continued. "I understand that she does have a survey today but I worry she is retreating here because she knows I'm not allowed in the city. Is there anything that can be done to allow me to keep an eye on the Princess?"

To Link's surprise Urbosa gave a hearty laugh and smiled. "The Princess confessed that was what she had been doing. I'm not surprised you figured it out though. As for letting you in I'm afraid I cannot alter the laws, however there is something you can do." Urbosa leaned down and whispered in Link's ear. Link's eyes widened and Urbosa let out another laugh. "I can always go to the city and buy you something to wear."

Link thought for a moment before nodding. "If you can, that would be so kind."

Urbosa nodded before heading back inside the town. She came out a few minutes later and discreetly handed Link a pair of Gerudo clothing. Link thanked her before finding somewhere where he could change without being seen. He had to go a bit away from the town and disappeared behind a sand dune. He removed his equipment and then his clothing and found himself standing in the desert in just his underwear. Swallowing his pride he pulled the Gerudo outfit on and covered his face. He then shoved his regular clothing in a satchel and put his sword and shield back. He would use a different entrance and pray that the guard didn't notice anything off.

Link didn't hate the fabric of the clothing. Sure he felt awkward dressed in female clothing but the fabric was light and airy. The shoes weren't exactly made for walking in the sand and Link quickly found this as he stumbled over to one of the side entrances. But, when Link walked into the town the gerudo standing guard hardly noticed Link.

As soon as Link got inside he was taken aback by how large the town was. Unlike Rito Village and Zora's domain this was built like an actual town. There were buildings and people scurrying about. Above the walls was a stream running through that helped with the relaxing atmosphere of the place. Link quickly found his way to the center part of town and his eye was immediately caught by the small shops that ran along the side of town. There was a place to rest, a jewelry place, a place selling clothing, several places selling cooked meals and ingredients to make your own meals. There was even a place that was selling arrows. In the very center of town was a slightly raised platform that ran down the middle and was lined with eight palm trees all of which carried fruit.

Nobody paid any mind to Link and he was surprised that he had managed to sneak in with such a simple disguise. The only thing that might blow his cover was his voice that was definitely deeper than a hylian female's. Link wasn't the only non-gerudo in the town though, helping him blend in better. There were hylians, rito, even some gorons. The only race Link didn't see was the Zora but that made sense. He knew they prefered to avoid dry places like the desert. The young knight couldn't help but smile. He knew that Liliana would be so jealous that he got to visit Gerudo town. Liliana was always talking about how she wanted to visit the homes of all four Hylian races but she was always glum that she wouldn't be able to see Gerudo town with her family. She had always said Lady Impa could go with her but knew she wouldn't get to see all the cool things with her father and older brother. Maybe after the Calamity was gone Link would be able to use this disguise to come in with Liliana and look around here.

When Liliana was three she would always talk about how much fun sand seal racing would be and Link couldn't help but agree with her. Thinking about this, Link's mind starayed and he found himself looking to see if they had sand seals. To his delight and surprise Link found a place that was renting out sand seals that one could use to travel across the desert. They were larger than Link had expected and Link imagined how small Liliana would look next to one.

Link shook the thoughts out of his head and brought his mind back to the current problem. He had to find Zelda so that he could keep an eye on her. He might miss Liliana but if he wanted to be able to spend time with her he would have to keep the princess safe first.