The Legend of Zelda: Real Courage
Chapter Six: Meeting Him
Lila wore the chainmail under her tunic and cloak when she walked into Lord Ganondorf's hall. She waited for him to finish speaking with the person ahead of her, then moved forward and knelt at his feet. Her sword and shield were resting neatly on her back.
"Rise," Lord Ganondorf said. "Did you succeed?"
"Yes, my lord," Lila answered. She unbuttoned part of her tunic to show him the chainmail underneath.
He smiled and relaxed on his throne. "Well done. You must begin your next task immediately before Volvagia can return. You see, the next item you are to obtain is in his domain."
"Death Mountain?" Lila asked, shaking.
"Yes, you are correct. The chainmail you just acquired should help protect you against the flames. This time you are looking for gauntlets."
Once again, Lila was confused. "Um, you want me to look for... cups?"
Lord Ganondorf's smile dropped. "Gauntlets, not goblets, you foolish girl. Gloves! They're said to increase one's strength. I tire of speaking with you. Leave my sight!"
Lila hurried out. She was used to her Lord's anger, and she didn't want to have to deal with it. Mori met her outside the hall.
"Where are we going this time?" Mori asked.
"Death Mountain," Lila answered gravely. "I swear, Lord Ganondorf wants to kill me."
"He's sending you to find items that will help you be stronger," Mori said. "That suggests he wants you to live."
"Yeah?" Lila argued. "For how long? No way can I fight Volvagia and win."
"You beat Gyorg."
"Gyorg is tiny compared to Volvagia."
"Lord Ganondorf wouldn't send you if he thought you would fail."
"I wouldn't count on that..."
"Why do you think he waited all these years to send you on these missions?"
Lila didn't have an answer for that. She wondered if Mori was right, but couldn't help but worry that she wasn't safe with her Lord. His missions might just send her to the grave.
∴
"So, where in Death Mountain are we going?" Lila asked her flying friend. They had arrived on the outskirts of a mountain village called Kakariko. Though it was practically dried up except for the sacred spring in the south, the place was bustling with energy. Buildings made of haphazard materials climbed the sides of the gorge, with the smallest of paths leading to each doorway. Some doors even opened on roofs of other buildings. The narrow street was filled with merchants and natives, bargaining for the best prices the Kakarikans had to offer.
Most in the village were Hylian, but some were Goron. After all, Death Mountain could only be inhabited by the rock-like creatures because only they could withstand the heat. Lila imagined some of the women were Gerudo, the all-women tribe of Lord Ganondorf's origin. She knew the history well. Every hundred years, no more, no less, a boy was born to the tribe to be the Gerudo king. That was Lord Ganondorf. The women would be in Kakariko Valley because Gerudo Desert wasn't too far to the north, making it the closest merchant town for the desert dwellers.
Lila got off her horse, gathered her belongings, and gave Epona a small pat on the back toward home. She wanted to avoid being noticed, which meant she would continue on foot. As it was, having a keese following her would be conspicuous enough.
"The mines are huge," Lila continued, "and I don't want to have to bother with Gorons."
"Don't worry," Mori answered. "I'm sure you'll be able to go through side tunnels and all that. Once we get to Volvagia's domain, it'll be a different story."
"What's that supposed to mean?" They hadn't moved yet. Lila wanted to know exactly what to do before she stepped foot among the locals.
"It means you won't run into Gorons, but you might have to do more fighting once in Volvagia's domain. Get it?"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Lila replied with a sigh. "I'm guessing we're going to need bombs?"
"That's a good assumption," Mori said.
Lila sighed again. "Okay. I'll use the rupees I got in the last dungeon to stock up. I hate people," she added with a grumble as she moved toward the shops. She looked for the one the village was most known for: the bomb shop. She hoped she wouldn't have to climb and was in luck. About halfway through the gorge, Lila spotted the sign depicting a bomb. Not sure whether Mori was still following her, she stepped into the shop.
Inside, if such a thing was possible, was even louder than on the street. People were standing around, talking about who knows what. The shop was much too small for its business. Lila couldn't even see where to buy the wares. It would be so easy to pick up a bag without anyone noticing. For a moment, she even considered the idea. Then the crowd parted enough for her to shove through to the counter.
"What can I get you?" said a young man about her age. He had yellow-blonde hair and a skinny frame, though his arms seemed somewhat muscled. When he smiled, it made his grayish blue eyes twinkle, throwing Lila off guard. For a moment she forgot she was surrounded by people. Then her staring got awkward, and the boy's smile started to falter.
"Oh... oh, sorry. I-I just need one bag, please." Lila couldn't believe how ridiculous she was acting. The boy pulled out a bag from under the counter and made a tick on a tally sheet.
"That'll cost you fifty rupees," he said, smiling again. Lila couldn't help but think he was teasing her now.
Grateful for a reason to look away, she fished the necessary coin out of her wallet and handed it over. When she reached for the bag, the boy put his hand on hers.
"There's a great hot spring just above the shop," he said. "It's said to heal any injury, and is absolutely lovely at night."
Was he messing with her? His smile looked kind of... soft. It wasn't something Lila was used to seeing.
She blushed and said, "I-I have to go. Got a job to do." Before the boy behind the counter could reply, she pulled the bag and her hand from his grasp and left the shop.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Lila muttered to herself. "He was just a boy. You've seen boys before." She was so frustrated, she didn't notice the people she ran into as she hurried toward the mine's entrance. Most lost her in the crowd, but then she walked headlong into a stocky form.
"Sorry," Lila muttered. She moved to get out of the way, but the person grabbed her shoulders. He got in her face, squeezing her.
"What was that? I didn't quite catch it," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I said I'm sorry for running into you," Lila answered in a monotone. The massive flow of people continued around them, no one fully noticing what was happening.
The guy smiled. "That's better, girly. How about you and me spend some time alone?"
For the first time, Lila looked into his brown eyes that matched his shaggy hair. Her nose twitched, showing her annoyance. "Not interested."
"You dare talk back to me?"
"Yeah, I do."
The guy's smirk dropped. "You're gonna pay for that, girly."
"You wanna bet?"
Before Lila could react, the guy hauled her over his massive shoulder. She gasped as the breath was pushed out of her lungs. She struggled, but his strong arms kept her from escaping or reaching her weapons.
"Not so tough now, are ya?" he boasted.
"Put me down!" Lila shouted. People were starting to notice now, but the guy walked out of the village without resistance.
"Let's get a few things straight," he said. "My name is Ruggy, and you're in my territory. You do anything to make me mad, and I make sure you regret it."
"You're the one who's going to regret this," Lila growled. Ruggy patted her on the butt, sending a disgusted chill along her spine.
"I like 'em feisty," he said with a chuckle.
Once they broke free of the crowd, they went inside a small shack a bit away from the town. Ruggy dropped Lila to the ground so forcefully, she was stunned for a moment. He rummaged for something in the piles of what looked like trash. He came back with a coil of rope.
"You going to do this willingly," Ruggy sneered, "or do you prefer to be bound?"
Lila struggled to regain her senses as he hovered close to her. Her heart was pounding, and sweat poured down her neck. She searched her mind for a way to stall until she could fight again.
"You're... so... stupid," she managed to say between gasps. It worked. Ruggy stopped in his tracks, confused.
"You're not exactly in a position to throw insults," he said. Then he chuckled. "I'll play along, though. Why am I so stupid?"
Lila pushed herself into a better sitting position. She was surprised at how much it hurt. Was her rib broken? Ignoring the pain, she said, "I can... kill you... right here."
Ruggy laughed. "Do you hear yourself? You're in so much pain you can hardly breathe, and you think I'm going to die?" He laughed harder. "That's the best I've heard yet! I'm going to enjoy this!"
He leaned in closer and grabbed Lila's arms roughly. She tried to fight back, but it made her dizzy. Before she knew it, he had her wrists and ankles bound. Fear flashed through her as he tied a cloth over her mouth. Satisfied that she was restrained, Ruggy turned to look for something else. Before he found it, the door banged open.
Ruggy laughed when he saw who was at the door. Lila couldn't believe her eyes. It was the skinny boy from the bomb shop.
"Let her go," the boy said without a hint of fear in his voice.
"Lila, there you are!" Mori flew inside the shack to her side, completely ignoring the men. "How'd you get yourself in this situation?"
"Look, kid, you have no business here," Ruggy chuckled. "Get out of here before you get hurt."
The boy's eyes glowed dangerously. "I said, let her go."
"You wanna fight?" Ruggy asked. "Alright, let's have at it then. But not in here, it's too cramped." Without waiting for an answer, he pulled Lila to her feet and shoved her toward the door. She crashed into the shop boy's chest. "She's gonna watch."
"You don't have to do this," the boy said to Ruggy, helping Lila steady herself. She tried to hide the tears from both the boys and Mori. She couldn't have Lord Ganondorf hearing about this weakness. "Stand down while you still can."
"Just get outside and fight me like a man!" Ruggy answered savagely. He took a step forward, making the boy step back and pulling Lila with him out the door. Ruggy made sure they didn't escape and lead them just behind the house, facing away from the village.
The boy rested Lila against the rock wall of the gorge. His eyes met hers.
"You okay?" he asked, removing the cloth.
Lila nodded that she was, not trusting herself to speak. It was a lie, they both knew it, and she wondered why he asked in the first place.
"What, are you two lovey-dovey or something?" Ruggy mocked.
The boy winked at Lila and then stood to face Ruggy. "Last chance," he said. "Back away and I don't have to hurt you."
Ruggy laughed. "I doubt a scrawny kid like you can lay a finger on me!" With that, he swung his right fist straight for the boy's head.
The boy ducked and shot himself at Ruggy's torso. He used the rock wall to propel himself forward, forcing Ruggy to the ground. He landed one punch to the bigger man's face, then quickly jumped back to avoid a counter attack.
"Why you dirty little cheat!" Ruggy roared. He staggered to his feet. His nose was bleeding. He sent another fist flying at the boy, who ducked again and hooked one leg behind Ruggy's. Again, Ruggy fell to the ground. This time, the boy placed a foot over his neck.
"Do you give up?" he asked.
"I won't lose to the likes of you," Ruggy spat.
The boy pushed his foot harder, cutting off Ruggy's windpipe. "I'll ask again, do you give up?"
Ruggy struggled for a while, trying to throw the boy off him. Amazingly the boy stood his ground, and eventually, Ruggy tired out. The boy relaxed his foot a bit so he could speak.
"Fine," Ruggy croaked. "Take her. Go."
The boy released him, and he went into a coughing fit, rubbing his neck. The boy walked over to Lila and used a knife to cut her bonds.
"I'm sorry this had to happen to you," he said.
Lila rubbed her wrists, unsure of what to say. "You... you saved me."
"I'm sure you would have figured something out," the boy said, his smile coming back.
Lila gasped, "Behind you!"
The boy spun around, his knife slashing at the arm that was attacking him. Ruggy howled in pain and finally backed away.
"I told you to give up!" the boy said.
Ruggy cradled his injured arm, gave one last look at them, then fled into the shack. Mori came down for a closer look.
"That was a close one, Lila," he said.
"Is that your name?" the boy asked.
Lila gulped and glared at Mori. Then she sighed and said, "Yes, it is."
"I'm Zale," the boy said, holding out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Lila."
She watched him a moment, wondering why that name sounded so familiar. Then she took his hand and shook it.
"Thanks for saving me," she said as he pulled her to her feet. "But you're right, I could have handled it." Mori was looking nervously between Zale and Lila but didn't say anything, and Lila didn't ask.
"I gotta get back to the shop," Zale said, ignorant of the keese's fretting. "You won't get yourself into any more trouble, will you?"
Lila smirked. "Oh, I will. Trust me."
Zale looked at her funny, not sure if she was joking. "Well, if you feel the need to rest tonight, you know where to find me."
Lila felt the blush returning. "Oh, right. The hot spring."
"But only tonight, I leave tomorrow."
"You don't live here?"
Zale shook his head. "Nah, just passing through on my rounds. I help the family that runs the bomb shop every now and then, and they give me a place to stay."
"I see," Lila said slowly. "I can't promise I'll be there, but I'll definitely try." For the first time, she gave him a sincere smile.
Zale smiled back and gave a small wave. "That's all that matters. I hope to see you again, Lila."
"Goodbye, Zale," Lila replied, backing away toward the mine. After three steps, she spun on her toes and took off in a brisk walk. She glanced back to see Zale watching her leave and smiled to herself.
"What do you think you're doing?" Mori asked, breaking Lila's bliss.
"Just talking to someone, obviously," Lila replied.
"Do you know who that is?"
"A traveler named Zale. What's the big deal?"
"A traveler named Prince Zale."
Lila stopped in her tracks. "Wait, what? You're not serious!"
"Yes, serious."
"No wonder his name sounded familiar! How can he walk around Kakariko Village without anyone saying anything?"
"Well, most of Hyrule doesn't know he exists. When the queen bore a male child, the king was disgraced and denied his existence."
"Because of the legends," Lila said for him.
"Yes.Only queens can rule Hyrule." Mori giggled, momentarily interrupting his story.
"What's so funny?"
"'Rule Hyrule.' It rhymes."
Lila swiped at him with her fist. "Get on with it."
"Fine. Well, the queen died in childbirth with Prince Zale, so the king searched for a new bride. He found one a few years ago, but she also died. The reason we know about the Prince is that he was born—"
"Exactly the same time as me, I know," Lila finished. "I just forgot, okay? Let's go get those stupid goblets."
"Gauntlets."
"Whatever!"
A/N: So... what do you think of Zale? =P