The Legend of Zelda: Zelda's Honor

Chapter 61 - Campfire Memories

Nabooru's breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon the majestic building that stood before her. "What is this place?" She breathed heavily.

The four of them had traveled northwards for several moons, riding hard for hours before stopping to let Epona and Fado rest. The relentless prowling of Wolfos was a constant detractor from what was mostly a relaxing journey. Xavier was employed several times to chase the despicable beasts off. Regardless of their multiple attempts at frightening them, the Wolfos always came back, lingering along the fringes of their group.

It was just that morning they broke the line of trees that commenced the forest resting at the base of the mountains north of Glaun'rung. They avoided the trailing army line, comprised of the last undying recruits, by heading eastwards for the better part of a day before turning north.

Nabooru was in awe at the stately beauty of the woodland realm. Living in the desert all of her life and rarely going to the Negev herself, being in the middle of trees stretching to the skies was stirring. Several times she had to be nudged roughly by Zelda when she was steering Fado off the game trails, completely absorbed in the sights and sounds of the woods.

The structure ahead of them lay in a hidden thicket surrounded by an elevated canopy resting on rising bluffs that bordered the building. The abnormal aspect of this entire construction was actually the hollowed out tree trunk that acted as a tunnel burrowing through the ring of rock that enclosed the copse, almost as if this was originally created by the hands of man.

Zelda hopped off the horse before walking toward the vine encrusted structure. Having switched into travel pants and a loose fitting green tunic, she looked not much different than Link. He proudly wore his Kokiri recreation that Malon so thoughtfully made for him. The only exception was the brown cloak he wore which covered his wings, which were tied tight to his back. Nabooru sported her traditional maroon Gerudo garb which V-necked down to her navel. With her dual scimitars strapped to a clasped holder hanging off her back, she looked ready for any confrontation.

"I don't know." Saria spoke, flying off of Epona. She inspected numerous statues in varying stages of decay or rubble. "But I feel no evil here...only a sense of peace." She delicately placed her hand on the cold stone of a fluted pillar.

"Good." Link said tiredly. Slipping off Epona, he unfastened his cloak, letting it drop to the ground. Undoing the knot on the rope secured around his chest, he tossed the twine to the ground with forceful purpose.

"What are you doing?" Zelda squeaked. "Aren't you supposed to hide those?"

Bending low to touch his feet, Link ignored her question as he spread his limbs out wide, stretching them smoothly as he flapped them gently. "Ah, that feels much better." Standing up to look at Zelda, he replied calmly, "True, but you try growing wings and then be forced to keep them cramped close to your body, unable to move them. Besides," he pointed up towards Saria who was still inspecting the remainder of the atrium, "if she says that it is safe here, I highly doubt I have anything to worry about."

She gave him a skeptical look, "Well, it never hurts to be cautious." She replied unsure of how else to refute his assertion.

Nabooru fastened the horse tethers to a nearby tree before walking over to the two of them, "I for one don't mind it. I've heard from Impa how useful those are to him when he is fighting. So if we do get ambushed here, then I wouldn't want him hindered in any way. I think it's a smart tactical move."

Glancing up at Saria who seemed content with exploring the ruins from her high vantage point, he turned to Nabooru, "Thank you. I'm going to go check out the area to make sure it is safe. Will you please start a fire?" Apparating a sword into his hand, he smiled at the two women before setting off around the perimeter of the enclosure.