Bring me to Light

Apologies for the wait, but here are your chapters.
--
Sweet sacrifice

Dawn seemed to have broken earlier than usual, this morning, Sheik mused, staring across Link’s chest and out of the window at a blood red sky, an unfortunate herald for the day ahead.

And Goddesses, wasn’t he dreading it?

Link shifted, grunting quietly in his sleep as usual. No change there then and the Sheikah smiled softly, letting his eyes drift shut in this intense comfort.

They snapped open a second later, he wasn’t about to allow himself to fall asleep now or else he would waste a few hours he could be spending…staring at Link.

Lips pursed in discontent as eyelids drooped. He hadn’t slept at all last night, his mind to preoccupied with thoughts…body to occupied with the feeling of Link next to it…even if the Hylian was asleep.

Sheik shook his head, blonde locks tickling his partner’s chest, causing him to giggle in his sleep and bat half-heartedly at the ‘irritance’.

The younger blonde grinned at the almost child-like qualities Link possessed, but he found his smile fading within seconds, unable to distract him from the rather pressing issue that needed to be confronted.

Zelda replacing him.

Link would not react well to it if Sheik told him what was going to happen, which of course he wouldn’t…not obviously anyway.

Link shifted again, turning so sharply in his sleep that it caused Sheik to topple out of the narrow bed and land heavily on the floor, letting out a surprised grunt as he hit the cold stone floor.

“Wha…?”

The bemused, drawled question came from the bed and Sheik looked up from his positon on the floor to see a pair of half-mast blue eyes peering over the edge of the bed.

“Sheik?...Why…are you on the floor?”

“You just threw me out.” Sheik stated, standing up and brushing off his backside, grimacing as he noted a layer of dust clinging to his still slightly sweaty flesh.

“Didn’t.”

“Well yes, Link, you did. Just because you were asleep and it was therefore, I assume, unintentional doesn’t mean that you did not do it.”

“…Huh? Ugh…whatever, sorry.”

“Whatever? Sorry? Those two words all but cancel each other out.”

“Don’t care. Tired.”

Sheik shook his head, hands resting on narrow hips as he stood, trembling slightly, in the cool air of the bedroom. Blue eyes rolled up and down his figure and Link shifted back in the bed, creating space for the Sheikah.

He almost excepted, almost climbed back into that ridiculously warm, safe, comfortable habitat to curl up in Link’s arms…sharing the warmth of each other’s bodies.

Almost.

Painfully, regretfully, he shook his head.

“We need to consider leaving soon. It will take some time to reach the desert.” The words burnt his throat.

Link looked up to him, for once not arguing.

“We need to bathe first…”

Sheik nodded, eyes widening in surprise as Link slid from beneath the covers into the cool air of the bedroom, picking up a selection of clean clothes from the chair beside the bed, slipping his arm around Sheik’s back to guide him out of the house.

Somehow, he seemed to understand what was about to happen to them. Or at the very least, he knew that Sheik needed this reassurance, this contact with him.

Perhaps the hero just remembered his needy advances the night before and was taking his cue from there?

The shadow warrior didn’t know. More importantly, as he walked across prickly grass and stepped into clear, cool water, he didn’t care.

He stepped carefully, mindful that after a point the bank that he was walking on dropped away suddenly, stopping and turning to watch Link enter the water when it reached his waist.

Link stopped in front of him, wordlessly taking his hands and pulling them to rest on his shoulders, closing the gap between them, creating warmth in cold air.

Why couldn’t life be like this all the time? Why couldn’t time stand still for just the two of them, let them be the only two people in the world?

Because that wasn’t realistic. That’s why and Sheik was slowing coming to realise one thing.

Reality sucks.

Sighing, he let Link turn him around and step away to grab a jug and pour water over his head and torso. Sheik shuddered violently at the cold that suddenly washed over him, gritting his teeth against it, wanting desperately to press back against Link and share his warmth again.

The Hylian’s hands were in his hair, teasing knots our of the long strands as he rubbed some sweetly scented substance into the locks before washing it out and moving his hands to Sheik’s back. Thumbs swirled and caressed tanned skin in heavy circles, pressing into tense muscles to relax them as he worked soap into his partner’s flesh.

Link leaned forward, pulling Sheik back against him, feeling soap suds slid between skin and his hands travelled to the front of the Sheikah’s torso, bathing his chest and stomach as he had his back, letting hands trail down the sharp V of groin muscles to hips, still rubbing gently.

Sheik’s hands joined his as he washed him, pulling away to rinse his back with another jug full of cold water before kissing down his back as he sank to his knees and washed his lower body, his head sinking underwater.

He briefly considered slinking around to Sheik’s front side and giving him a surprise…but…that wasn’t what he needed or wanted right now.

Maybe some other time.

Resurfacing, he let Sheik turn and reciprocate, feeling small hands cleansing his skin thoroughly and lovingly before he sank into his arms again, pressing chest to back.

Link stared up at the brilliant ruby sky.

“Beautiful sky.” he murmured, feeling Sheik in his arms.

“Perhaps.”

“Certainly.”

“Why certainly?”
“Because that sky is exactly the same shade as your eyes.”

“…You…”

“Sappy, I know. But it’s true.”

Sheik’s head turned, pressing the bridge of his nose into Link’s throat.

“Red skies are a bad omen among the Sheikah.”

“Beautiful but deadly then?”

“Indeed.”

“Like someone I know…”

Sheik snorted “You’re full of compliments aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t have you any other way you know…my beautiful fatality.”

“Very poetic.”

“Don’t ruin the moment.”

Sheik smiled. “My apologies.”

Link placed a kiss at Sheik’s neck.

“Shall we get going?”

“I suppose.”

“C’mon. It’s usually me who’s the reluctant one.”

“…I like to break habits.”

“And hearts.”

Tapping his chest, Link pulled away, wading to shore and dressing before heading for the stables to wake the horses.

Sheik stared after him, acutely aware of how right that last statement might prove to be.

--

They travelled on horseback for most of the day, only stopping to rest, feed and water the horses and themselves, intent on reaching the Gerudo Valley by nightfall at the latest.

Both men were unusually silent, reminded forcefully of where they were travelling to when the red-brown cliffs of the valley came into view.

Link’s face darkened.

Sheik’s heart tightened.

The horses tossed their heads uneasily as lush grass gave way to hard rock, iron shoes clacking sharply against the surface.

Link found it irritating, his mood already deteriorating as he felt the heat begin to rise steadily, a nearby tree all but baked by the desert heat even this far away from its centre. Roots burrowed deep into dry, cracked earth.

Something darted in front of them. Epona reared in fright, causing Link to grab at reins in an attempt to remain seated, wrangling her into quietness again.

“What the hell was that? It moved so fast I couldn’t catch a look.” Link stated, turning to look at Sheik sitting placidly in a calm Thara’s saddle.

With the mask up, Link couldn’t read his expression, but he seemed as much in the dark as he was.

Seemed.

He knew all too well in reality, recognised the hunched darting figure that had been clad in white and blue, a pair of familiar red eyes meeting his own as Link had fought to calm Epona.

She was here.

“I’m not certain but it may be dangerous and it may come after us again.” he swallowed thickly as he scanned the area, acting the part, hating himself for the words he was about to say. Resenting Zelda for the actions she was making him perform. Yearning for Link as he looked at his lover.

“Go on ahead and wait for me in the Valley. I’ll catch up to you once I’m sure the creature has gone…it may have been one of Ganondorf’s servants.”

Link nodded. “Sure, if you think that’s best.”

Sheik bit his lip, drawing blood in guilt. He was so trusting,so naïve and innocent in that moment…could he not have shown a little suspicion, just to make him feel a little better about what he was about to do?

A single nod and Link gave an uneasy smile, nudging Epona into a trot.

“Link!”

The cry escaped his lips before he could hold it in, and he could just imagine Zelda’s ears pricking up at the unusual behaviour…as far as she was concerned anyway.

“…Do you remember what I told you last night?” Sheik asked his partner as he returned.

“…Of course. How could I forget?” Link dropped his voice “I love you too.”

“Good. Keep that in mind and…”
“And?”

“Just…be wary of everyonewho you encounter from this point on….there are those who would …deceive you with a façade of what you think you are seeing.”

“Illusions?”

“Mirages and mirrors of what you would like to see.”

Link nodded. “I’ll remember…be quick, ok?”

“Yes. Now…go on. I need to find the creatures trail.”

Smiling, Link turned Epona to face the desert again, tapping her sides to make her move.

Sheik watched him go, his heart heavy with longing and guilt.

The Hylian was barely out of sight when the other ‘Sheikah’ dropped into view.

“Sheik…it’s good to see you.”

Sheik slid off Thara, dropping to the floor and bowing in front of his doppelganger.

“My lady.”

“You know you don’t need to do that.”

“I do. But…it is only appropriate.” He rose, facing her.

“Not under the circumstances.”

“True.”

“So…what was that warning about?”

Sheik swallowed. “You heard?”

The princess in disguise nodded.

“Merely a warning about how the desert can warp the mind. The hero is already on edge about the situation as it is and it would not do for his judgement to be clouded by fear or desire.”

“That’s true. I hope I can aid him.”

“…I would imagine you’ll be able to in certain ways.”

“As I said…I hope so.”

Sheik paused before replying. “Are you prepared, princess?”

Zelda nodded “I know everything I need to…I believe anyway.”

“Good.”

Sheik pulled out his harp, looking at it for a moment before handing it to his friend. “You’ll need to teach him the Prelude of Light upon completing the spirit temple.”

“Yes…if all goes well I’ll be able to reveal who I am to him.”

“I’ll go into hiding once Link is aware of that.”

“He’ll believe that I was you all along…you understand and are comfortable with that?”

“Of course.” He lied.

The true shadow warrior turned back to his stallion, taking the reins and handing them to the princess.

“Thara will behave for you. I’ve made sure of that.”

“Thank you. Nothing must give me away now. Not at this crucial time.”

Small hands, that if you looked closely enough were too delicate to be Sheik’s own, took the reins.

“I’ll take care of him.” Zelda stated before mounting the grey stallion.

“Princess…take care of the Hero of Time first and foremost; don’t let him out of your sight. Don’t let him weaken against the Gerudo….don’t let him die. Not now. Not after everything that he’s experienced.”

“I won’t Sheik, I assure you of that.”

Sheik nodded, stepping back to look at the princess. She was almost a perfect replica of him, only someone who knew his body intimately would be able to tell the difference and even then, it’d be difficult for them.

“I suppose this is the last time I’ll see you for a good amount of time.”

“I believe so…it is for the best.”

“Yes but…I will miss you. I have done over these past months.”

“And I, you ma’am.”

Red eyes flashed violet as the mounted Sheikah smiled.

“Goodbye, Sheik.”

“Goodbye…Zelda.”

Head bowed, the princess nudged Thara into a trot and Sheik watched as his ‘twin’ rode away with his horse, towards his love.

Once the princess was out of sight he turned and ran, taking refuge in a niche in one of the cliff walls near the boundary between Hyrule field and the Gerudo territory,

Pulling his knees up to his chest, Sheik stared out at the rich green of Hyrule field, mind racing with thoughts of everything that had just occurred.

His lover was gone.

He would never speak to him again…and Link would think that he had never existed.

His world torn apart by emotions he knew he should have never let himself feel, Sheik buried his head, in his hands, remembering his and Link’s morning together…

His heart broke and for the first time in his life, he let himself weep for something he had lost.

--

Link stared out across the splintered remains of the bridge that formerly crossed the ravine that ran through the valley, thumbs rubbing against the leather of Epona’s reins nervously.

The heat had risen drastically as he picked his way through rocks and around pools of evaporating water that were scattered sparsely over the valley and it was beginning to become unbearable, fraying his already tattered nerves.

Sheik hadn’t shown up and it had been at least quarter of an hour. Link wondered vaguely if he should turn back to look for the other man…but…Sheik had specifically told him to wait here for him and though he was loathe to let himself be controlled…he didn’t mind it so much when it was his lover. Besides, his commands were usually reasonable and sensible.

Across the gorge a large white fence had been picketed, its canvas sides billowing in the dry wind that had started blowing not long ago. The fire out front that was cooking dinner was almost blown out by a particularly large gust and Link noted that the man sitting beside it covered his mouth against an onslaught blown in from the desert.

Gods he hated this place. The sooner Sheik got here the better at least then they could get a move on and get out of the godforsaken place as quickly as possible…even if it did mean going through the Gerudo first.

The sharp clack of iron shod hooves on rock caught his attention and Link turned in the saddle to see Sheik riding into the valley.

He couldn’t help noticing that Thara was tossing his head a lot, as if worried or displeased by something…Link couldn’t blame the animal. Epona didn’t seem to particularly like this place either…it was too dry and the lack of plant life threw the animals into a sense of unease.

At least…that’s what he assumed the stallion was upset about. Nevertheless, he was at least letting Sheik ride him relatively easily.

“We’ve got a problem!” Link called to the ‘Sheikah’ as ‘he’ rode towards him.

“And that would be?”

“Well…you see the massive gap in the bride? That’s the problem…we can’t walk through thin air...even with the hover boots.”
“Obviously.” There was a hard edge to Sheik’s voice that grated in Link’s ears and he frowned at the other man’s sudden mood.

“Oh well,” Link shrugged and sighed “No choice but to turn back then. Damn, so heartbroken here, I was looking forwards to it.”

He tugged on the reins as if to turn Epona away.

“You are not leaving. Hyrule needs you, hero, we must merely guide the horses to jump over the gap.”

Link lifted an eyebrow.

“Hero? What’ve I done to deserve that title?” His confusion was evident.

“Given your behaviour at the moment, very little.”

“OK?...what’s up?”

Red eyes narrowed, glancing at the Hylian harshly.

“We must continue.”

Sheik guided Thara back so that the stallion was aligned with the bridge before slapping his flank, hard.

The horse reared and took off at a gallop, thundering towards the bridge.

Link felt his heart stop as the horse leapt, not able to believe that Sheik was being so reckless as to attempt the jump, but pure relief washed over him as he saw the horse land safely, if heavily on the other side.

Link pulled Epona into position.

“Ok, now it’s our turn, girl. Let’s prove to them that we can do it better.”

The mare whinnied as if in agreement before rearing, just as Thara had done, galloping for the bridge without so much as a tap from Link.

They soared through the air in a high graceful arc and Link lifted his hands free of the reins, raising them into the air and whooping at the feel of air that suddenly seemed cool rushing over him.

Front hooves impacted lightly with the wooden planks of the far side of the bridge, giving Link a minimal jolt as the back hooves followed and Epona pulled the two of them up the stone slope onto flat land again.

“That…was surprisingly fun,” Link stated, running fingers through wind tousled hair. “Can we do it again?”

“No.”

Sheik turned away, tapping Thara into movement.

The Hylian frowned, nudging Epona to follow the other horse.

“Sheik! Wait up. Seriously.”

“We have a task to complete, hero.”

“Would you stop that?!”

Link steered Epona into Thara’s path, cutting him and his rider off. Sheik glared.

“Move.”

“Sheik…what the hell’s going on?”

“You’re becoming irritating.”

“..I’m always like this…”

“Exactly.”

Link straightened in the saddle.

“You didn’t have a problem before we split up. What’s happened to get you in such a bad mood?”

“It is nothing you need to concern yourself with. Focus on the task in hand.”

The elder blonde tugged on Epona’s reins sharply, lips pursed in annoyance. “Fine, but we’re discussing this later.”

Sheik snorted and tapped Thara into a trot, overtaking Link as they headed for the Gerudo Fortress.

--

The fortress was hidden among winding chasms that varied in shape and size, sometimes metres wide, sometimes barely wide enough for a rider and horse to pass through. They interconnected too, creating long, meandering paths that one could easily get lost in.

Link had only seen this once, when he was brought here seven years ago by Ganondorf and he couldn’t for the life of him understand how Sheik could find his way through the channels of rock. And to think, he had once done this at night.

The sun was now directly above them, beating down relentlessly and Link had to wipe sweat out of his eyes every few minutes. Epona’s head was down, drooping with exertion, her movements becoming slow and plodding until eventually Link was forced to stop and dismount.

“What are you doing?” Sheik asked, stopping and turning to look at Link, somehow knowing he had stopped despite the fact that he was a few metres ahead.

“I’m letting Epona go back, this climate’s gonna kill her if I force her to go on. She’s already exhausted. Besides, if the Gerudo catch her I’ll never get her back.”

“I see.”

“You should probably let Thara go back too. He’s looking pretty tired.”

Sheik looked down to the stallion before wordlessly dismounting and tapping the horse on the flank, sending him back the way they had come with Epona.

Link watched the horses go miserably, Thara nudging Epona to keep her going in the heat.

“Just you and me then.” Link commented as Sheik started walking and he jogged to catch up to him. Sheik didn’t respond.

“How far to the fortress?”

“Quarter of a mile. We’ll be there within half an hour.”

Link swallowed thickly, wiping sweat from his brow with the sleeve from the white undershirt he was wearing. The sheer volume seemed to have increased suddenly.

--

Sheik edged along the tops of the chasm that Link and the Princess were now walking in, keeping an eye on them.

In all honesty he should have gone back to the house already but…he couldn’t just leave them straight away.

The opportune moment to turn back would’ve been when they released the horses but…again; he couldn’t leave Link alone with Zelda. He hadn’t heard the ‘conversations’, such as they were, but it was obvious they were clipped and only occurred when necessary. The body language between them was sheer tension at the moment; you’d have to be blind not to see that.

Sheik’s foot slid against a loose rock and he paused, waiting to see if there would be any repercussions from the movement.

There weren’t and after a second or two he continued tracking the two Hylians, becoming increasingly nervous for Link as the chasm walls sloped down and widened suddenly.

He noticed Link freeze, his head titled up as he looked at something. Sheik imagined the expression on his face was one of sheer anxiety.

Link was looking at a flag embossed with the odd symbol that represented everything the Hylian hated and feared.

They had reached the fortress.

--

Link stared up at the orange and yellow flag, feeling his stomach physically squirm and his throat tighten in response. His mouth was suddenly dry as he opened it to say something to Sheik.

“We must do this.”

“You mean ‘I’ must do this.”

“Yes.”

The elder blonde bit his lip.

“Standing there and worrying will not make it any easier for you. Confront your fear.”

“But I don’t want to.”

“That is irrelevant.”

“Would it kill you to show a little support, Sheik? This is the first time I really need it and you know that. Why do you choose now to be a jackass with me?”

A light blonde eyebrow lifted. Light blonde. Not the dark, golden blonde that Link was sure Sheik’s eyebrows were supposed to be.

“You must learn to stand on your own feet.”

“Is that all you can say?”

Sheik turned his back to him.

“You…bastard.”

Scowling in disgust, Link stormed past the shadow warrior, stalking around the edge of the fortress, lips set into a grim line his eyes scanned for the Gerudo’s guards.

“There is no point in sneaking around. We should confront them.”

“Well being the bastard you are being at the moment, you would say that.”

A bandaged hand grabbed at Link’s collar, tugging at it roughly to drag him back from the rock that he was spying on the guard from.

Link turned swiping a hand at Sheik’s, breaking his grip and knocking it away equally roughly. He was surprised he could even break the Sheikah’s usually vice-like grip.

He didn’t give it much thought though…there was too much else to think about. Perhaps the Sheikah merely didn’t feel like hanging onto him now.

What a change from this morning.

Sheik shoved him towards the roughly carved stone steps that led to the main arena of the fortress.

“We confront them.”

Tugging his tunic back into place, Link turned on his heel, stamping up the stairs, fuelled by a growing anger at Sheikah’s behaviour.

His eyes locked onto a guard as he reached the top of the stairs.

He froze.

She saw him and ran for him, spear instantly lowered as she screamed an alert to her kins..women. The cry caught their attention and within seconds they were forming a closely-knit semi-circle around Link.

Sheik joined him a moment, later, pushing him forwards towards them, and the women rushed around the back of them, trapping them in a circle of spears.

Sheik elbowed him.

“Tell them.”

Link’s mouth remained clamped shut, blue eyes scanning faces.

“Tell them.” Sheik repeated.

“Well would you look at that!” A shrill voice suddenly piped up and Link’s eyes were instantly locked onto a woman as she pushed her way through the crowd.

“It’s our little escape artist. Come back because you love us so much, huh, boy?”

Link said nothing, but his head and eyes dropped, his body language turning submissive.

--

Zelda watch with disbelief as Link shied away from the woman, looking like a scolded, frightened animal. She had known he would be afraid of the Gerudo, but she couldn’t imagine what they had done to him during his incarceration to make the young man who had been so confident just a short while ago so terrified now. Her elbow was resting against his side and she could feel him trembling.

It wasn’t showing yet…it would if it got any worse.

“You’re pathetic. To think…you’re the same gender as the Great Ganondorf…just goes to prove he’s of better stock than any Hylian.”

Zelda jolted at the words.

“And what do we have here?...A…Sheikah! Well now, that is a rare find in this day and age. What are you doing with this loser, oh-mighty-shadow-warrior?”

“I am aiding him on a journey.”

“Looks like he needs it. Pathetic.”

She nudged Link again, more gently this time, but he did nothing in response.

“So…you gonna be our slave again boy? I’m sure the ladies will appreciate it.”

A few of the guards jeered lewdly.

“Been a while since we’ve had anything human in possession of a penis around here. You’ll serve us well, right girls?”

They jeered again.

Yellow eyes turned to Zelda. “You might come in handy too. We’ll have some fun with you before we hand you over to Ganondorf.”

“I think not.”

“Pity, because you don’t have a choice.”

She made a grab for her, catching her bicep and Zelda struck out, the back of her hand snapping across the dark skin of the Gerudo’s cheek.

“You..”

There was a spear in her face suddenly and Zelda didn’t have any time to react, to pull away from it before it would tear into her.

She didn’t need to.

There was a green figure in front of her in a split-second, the clatter of wood and metal against rock, a high-pitched shriek and then Link was at her side again, a hand at the small of her back.

The Gerudo guard lay on the floor, holding a thin gash across her bare, toned stomach.

The Master Sword was in Link’s hand. He had protected her.

Though Zelda was grateful…she had to wonder why. As far as Link knew, she was Sheik and she was pretty sure there was nothing between the two of them…

“Sheik. Tell them what we’re here for.”

Zelda nodded, stepping forwards, addressing the woman who was clutching the wound on her stomach. It was nothing more than a scratch…a warning.

“We wish to see your second-in-command, we have business with her.”

“Nabooru will not see you without good reason.”

The voice was low, for a woman, and Link and Zelda turned to see a Gerudo in red heading for them, her walk slow and confident.

“We have good reason.”

“And that would be?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss it with you.”

“As I thought…you have no business with her, Sheikah. Besides, males shall not be granted an audience…” her eyes strayed to Link “especially slaves.”

Zelda opened her mouth to speak when Link held up his hand cutting her off.

“What would we have to do to be granted an audience?”
The woman in red snorted “Prove yourself worthy to be in her presence.”

“How?”

“Take on the four cardinals in battle and win.” A sly smile splayed over painted pink lips.

“And you’re one of them, yes?”

She nodded, high copper ponytail bouncing.

“Then tell the other three that you have a challenger.”

She laughed. “You’re going to take us on?”
“Yes.”

“Fine then, little boy.” She turned to the woman in purple next to her. “Summon the others…I want them to be here to witness the slave taking us on and losing.”

--

Link pulled the shield onto his right arm as he tightened his grip on the Master Sword, feeling it slip beneath sweating fingers.

His first opponent stood opposite him, smirking, eyes watching Sheik as he sauntered up to him.

“Are you certain you can win?”

“Yes.”

“…Good luck.”

“Thanks for the enthusiasm and belief.”

Crimson caught in the corner of his eye and Link turned to watch as three more Gerudo women in red filed out, looking at him curiously.

“So this is our challenger?”

“Yes.”

“If you win, we will allow you to see Nabooru. When you loose, which you will though, you’ll become our slave again.”

Link nodded. “Good luck with that.”

She snorted. “Let the battle begin.”

With a flourish she yanked two exaggeratedly curved scimitars from the holders on her back, the blades a bizarre, creamy-white in the sun…as if they were made from bone.

She held one of the blades high above her head, the other down by her knees as she crouched, sinking into a position that would allow her to fend off Link should he attack.

For all their brave talk, relative strength and skill with the blade…they were still women, and Link was still a man, ergo, if it came down to brute force alone, he was going to win.

Unfortunately for him, despite the Gerudos rather brash and obnoxious nature and appearance they knew the physics of swordplay…she would be able to make up for her inferior strength with agility, lent to her by a more compact frame.

Link shifted the shield on his arm before locking his eyes onto his opponent, circling her slowly. She followed suit, keeping the distance between them as she eyed him, trying to discern any weaknesses. Thinking she’d found she lunged forwards, swiping her upper blade down towards her opponent.

Link swung the Master Sword up in a smooth arc, meeting her scimitar mid way, metal clashing and sliding smoothly of each other.

The Hylian jumped forwards as she retreated, making an attempt at a stab to drive her back away to a more comfortable distance, pulling back to watch her carefully again, all too aware of the crowd’s attention on them.

Dark blonde eyebrows furrowed in suspicion when the woman sank, crouching and twisting, coiling like a cobra. Link backed up, sword arm tensing in expectation of movement and she unleashed that suppressed energy, leaping and twisting, swords carving through the air as she aimed for Link.

He brought the shield up to protect himself as quickly as possible, hiding as much of his body behind it, knowing it was too late to be completely safe.

White blade sliced through fabric and flesh and Link gasped as the assembled crowd cheered as hot blood sprayed from his arm to the floor.

First blood had been drawn.

But…that attack had taken a lot of energy, even from someone used to the midday desert sun, and he burst out from behind his shield, swiping for her. She trotted back, trying to evade the sword’s reach, crying out and breathing heavily when she didn’t succeed, her own blood spurting from a gash in her bare stomach.

It would seem as if Link had some bizarre obsession with attacking that particular part of the body but the truth was…exposed skin was simply easier to wound. Thin red fabric didn’t pose much of a barrier to be sure but still…even that took some of the bite out of the attack.

The Gerudo woman backed up, attempting to climb to her feet when another swipe slit the skin on her arm, a deadly blade tip at her throat a second later.

One down. Three to go.

--

Sheik watched from his perch above the Valley, his heart beating uncomfortably fast as he watched the third Gerudo woman line up to fight Link.

The two he had beaten sat on the outskirts of the group, nursing wounds and pride at their defeat. But there was still this woman to fight and another after that, and Link was already starting to tire.

Not that anyone could blame him. He had gotten lucky with the first Gerudo, she had underestimated his ability to fight…the others weren’t making the same mistake and consequently, the second battle had been long and hard, lasting longer than one could reasonably expect from a person.

All that to deal with and in the midday sun too.

Link fell back from the woman’s blade as it slid across his chest, and he rolled to avoid another attack, kicking out to bring her down to his level.

He struggled to his feet, taking a step back to give him a moment’s rest, his breathing laboured. Even from his vantage point so far away, Sheik could see that sweat that had soaked into the emerald green of Link’s tunic, turning it the colour of wet moss.

He had received few injuries so far, but even those few were taking a toll on him. He was weakening, and boy, didn’t the Gerudo know it.

They were cheering their warrior in, throwing jibes and snares at Link as he struggled to defend himself against a particularly harsh attack from the woman in red.

Zelda stood on the outskirts of the battle, showing anxiety in the way she held herself and Sheik shook his head. She still hadn’t learnt.

Unable to make any input to the situation below Sheik lifted his head, staring up at the sun, gauging the time. Perhaps two o’clock in the afternoon. Meaning the second fight had lasted half an hour…it was no wonder Link was starting to look worse for wear.

A loud cheer from the crowd below caused Sheik to snap his attention back to the scene.

The Gerudo woman had Link in the floor, straddling him, and making lewd comments whilst at it no doubt. The scimitar in her hand was edging closer to Link’s throat, a dark teasing threat, as Link’s hand searched for any weapon he could find.

The Master Sword lay abandoned to the side of the battle, knocked out of Link’s hand by an attack Sheik hadn’t witnessed.

Unable to find a weapon to defend himself with, Link lashed out with his hand suddenly, the pseudo-punch throwing her balance off allowing Link to push her off him roughly and he staggered for the sword, turning and slashing at the women the second it was back in his hand.

The attack must have hit somewhere either vital or painful, for a second later, she fell to the ground defeated.

Just one left to go and Sheik rolled his eyes upwards, begging the Goddesses to give Link the strength he needed to get through the fight.

--

Zelda let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding as the final Gerudo fell, holding her hip. She grunted, angrily shoving the other Gerudo away as they attempted to help her to her feet.

Glaring at Link, she spat at him before pushing through the crowd heading for the fortress,

Link watched her go, sheathing the Master Sword and panting, resting his hands on bent needs as he dragged in lungfuls of air, exhausted by the fight. Swear poured down his brow, into his eyes and despite everything she knew about Sheik and his attitude towards the candidates for the role of Hero of Time, she walked across to the shuddering Hylian, sliding a supportive arm around his shoulders.

This one had proved himself as the hero of time…surely Sheik would be offer comfort to that?

To her surprise, Link leant into her arm, not seeming the least bit fazed by the out of character action, in fact, it seemed that he had expected it.

“You’ve proven yourself worthy.” one of the women spoke and Link’s head jerked up. He straightened as she pushed through the crowd, recognising her as the first woman he had fought.

“I am Solita, second-in-command to Nabooru and…I have to say, I’m impressed by your skill with the blade.”

She turned and shooed on of the lowly guards away from her as she pitched forwards to say something.

“What’s your name, kid?”
“Link.”

“Well Link…you know what? You’ve changed me now…I thought all men were worthless, save for the great Ganondorf,”

Link rolled his eyes

“But I don’t believe that anymore…here,” she pulled out a slightly crumpled looking piece of paper from inside her shirt “It doesn’t make up for the treatment you’ve received from us but…as I have the power to do so, I make you an honorary member of the Gerudo…should you wish to accept the position.”

Link looked at the paper sceptically.

“And if I don’t?”
“Then I understand, but…I offer to you all the facilities here…and to your…friendtoo.”

“Uh…thanks but…we only came here for…”

“Yes of course,” she waved a hand, cutting him off and clapped her hands, signalling for the gate to the desert to be opened. “Unfortunately, Nabooru isn’t here at the moment. She’s in the colossus on the far side of the haunted wasteland, inside the ancient temple there…”

“What’s she doing there?”

Solita shifted uncomfortably “Nabooru is not exactly…mainstream. She doesn’t believe in Ganondorf’s ways like the rest of us and lately…she’s become rebellious.”

“So she’s plotting against Ganondorf?”

“…probably.”

She turned to watch the gate be opened.

“The wasteland is treacherous and impassable if you don’t have the right equipment,” she looked at Sheik “You should be alright though. Follow the red flags to the hideout, once there your friend should be able to see a spirit that will guide you the rest of the way to the temple.”

The Gerudo woman turned her back on them for a moment, shooing away the rest of the Gerudo as they watched the exchange. Facial expressions ranged from shock, to disgust and disbelief to acceptance.

“I wish you good luck and please…” she held out the paper to Link again “take it, if not as a member of the Gerudo society then as a gesture of our apology to you.”

Pale fingers hesitantly reached out to grasp the edge of the paper and Link inclined his head.

“I thank you at the very least but…”

“We understand if you do not wish to forgive the rest of us.”

She nodded. “Now…you have a desert to cross.”

Open-palmed, she gestured to the desert’s gate.

Link nodded, taking the direction she had indicated, Sheik walking silently by his side as they left the grounds. No longer a former slave and a stranger, but an honorary member of the Gerudo Tribe.

--

High above the training grounds of the Gerudo Fortress, Sheik nodded in approval, proud of Link for overcoming his fears.