Bated Breath (for ZeldaFan64)

Lady Urbosa’s Diary:

Princess Zelda returned to the icy waters of the Spring of Wisdom today. I accompanied her, by the king’s request… what I had expected to be over by lunch time went on until nightfall. She stayed put on her knees, praying to the goddesses… “for guidance,” she told me. I did not ask for more information than that. But I could see in her intense expression… she is afraid. Buried under pressure of a kingdom, of her predecessors, she knows not how to carry on after them. Eventually, she began to whisper to herself, repeatedly asking “Why can I not do as the royal daughters of the past have done?”

I knew not what to do. All I could do was hold her close, and pray that was enough. My old, dearest friend’s little bird… I worry for her.

Urbosa huffed tiredly as she approached the entrance to the Gerudo’s village, a weary night behind them of travel. It was a grueling long journey back from the Spring of Wisdom, one they could’ve made had they left any sooner. Instead, the fierce chief of the Gerudo’s was worn out, having missed a night’s sleep. In her arms, she gently held onto the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, carrying her much like a child. Their height difference made this all the easier. Urbosa was a towering woman, with bronze skin, and flowing red hair behind her.

Close now to the Gerudo’s village, and not wanting to embarrass the young woman in her arms, Urbosa stopped in her tracks. “Princess.” She muttered aloud, attempting to gently wake the sleeping royal in her arms. She didn’t stir. Urbosa cleared her throat. “Princess?” She asked again, attempting to wake her.

When the second attempt didn’t pan out, Urbosa nodded her head back and forth for the moment, before slipping one hand down and snapping her fingers - In the distance, a frighteningly loud crack of lightning struck the ground, booming across the skies.

[ZeldaFan64]

Ever since the queen passed away, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule placed his own daughter into intensive care as he didn’t want to lose another deeply-beloved relative. His strict teachings tried to help Zelda with resuming in her mother’s footsteps and focus on her abilities to seal a possible threat away. In the past, several rulers who bared her name would stand up to the threat they call the Calamity Ganon alongside the chosen hero. However, the position of becoming a protector who couldn’t awake her own abilities placed her in such a stressful state. The stern teachings of her father alongside the failure she held within didn’t help at all, in fact, made it even worse.

Zelda made a journey to a spring of the goddess, Hylia, underneath the protection of Urbosa, the cheiftan of the Gerudo. Although she knew that Urbosa was a good friend to her mother and to herself, Zelda had the feeling inside that she needn’t the use of any bodyguards. For example, that silent knight who stalked her at the shrine... such an audacity! Well, she knew that Urbosa would add closure to her visit, so she kept quiet. Already baring high hopes, her own prayers felt that they’ve been ignored. It was like trying to get blood from a rock, which was ironic as she was speaking to a statue. Poor Zelda gave it her best shot but in grief and fatigue, she passed out in her arms...

... only to wake up in them! The sudden lightning bolt came down and caused such a fright that it woke her up nearly out of her skin. “AAHH!” Her arms scrambled around Urbosa’s neck, knees curling to near her shoulder as she looked around. She was clothed in her blue scholar outfit. Once she realised what she was doing, the girl blushed lightly and cleared her throat. “Lady Urbosa,...” She said clearly, before her speech became muttering.

“You certainly have a way to surpass the morning Cucco...”

“And you, my little bird, can sleep through the damndest things.” Urbosa stoically replied. Though a half-smirk grew onto her lips, to feel the princess clinging to her like a parent. “But I am glad you got your rest. You worked yourself to death, yesterday…” The Gerudo spoke with concern. Her tone remained soft; something many fellow Gerudo’s, and definitely more foreigners could attest they had never heard. Truly, it was only for the princess that the chief would speak soothingly.

And with that in mind, she was sure Zelda was hell-bent on returning to the spring. She had technically not even finished her “work” - Urbosa had simply decided it was time to leave, when she fell asleep in her arms after a long, hard cry. But Urbosa felt certain this would be in ill faith for her health… the more she prayed, the more pressure she would simply be putting on herself.

“...if you are feeling woke, I’ll put you down, now.” Urbosa offered, drifting out of thought. Calmly, she helped Zelda back to her feet, gently touching her boots down to the soft sand of the desert. “We should get you back, to the inn, so you can rest properly. It’s too hot to travel dressed like this.” She advised.

[ZeldaFan64]

This earned a slight annoyed look from the princess, as she loosened some of her grip around her neck, though still held onto her gently with one arm for support. She was currently resting in her arms like... SHE was the hero carrying the typical damsel-in-distress! Zelda sighed and looked forward, where she realised her location was Gerudo Town. “Your town... did you really travel all the way from...?” There was no point questioning it. Urbosa really did take her back... Zelda’s mount was currently tied at the post, where a Gerudo and her children were tending to it; the mother was feeding her the ripest of fruits while the young ones stroke her mane. It was a relieving and cute sight...

Urbosa spoke to her like a worrying mother where immediately the memories of Zelda’s failed prayer at the spring came flooding in. The poor princess looked down rather disappointed.

As she was placed onto her feet, the princess wobbled a little due to the whole journey back was sleeping like a baby. “Pardon? N-no! Lady Urbosa, we must return to the Spring of Wisdom at once! I swear that at one point of my prayer,...” she looked down at her hands. “I felt... something, something that my mother told me...” looking straight back up at her. “So, we need to go back as soon as we can! But first, please go to the inn on your own and get some sleep... It was indeed an incredibly long day for you.”

Like she was reading a book she already knew the ending to. Urbosa used one hand to help Zelda hold steady and the other to rub her eyes tiredly, blocking out the bright sun while also expressing her distaste for that plan. Still, she stayed patient, her hand leaving Zelda’s side as both crossed in front of her. “I would hope you were onto something by the end of the day, Princess. You were in that fountain from sunrise to sundown…” Urbosa started off sternly, but found herself unable to stop from switching to a concerned tone mid-sentence.

“You can return to the fountain whenever you like, but for today, you should rest.” Urbosa gestured towards the town with an open hand, signalling for Zelda to walk. “It’s unhealthy to dedicate yourself to something like that. I only saw you growing more and more frustrated… a day of rehabilitation and relaxation will serve you well.” Her own attention diverted to the nearby stables. “The horses will need their rest, too. You don’t want to tire them out.”

[ZeldaFan64]

No matter if the King or Urbosa were concerned of her decision to go off, dare they think about it, ALONE, but Zelda had a gut feeling that she could try a second time. There’s always the saying ‘second time lucky’ where she wanted to journey back to the fountain and start from scratch. Urbosa’s concern didn’t help her though.

“Urbosa, your concern is admirable but I assure you I can make it back on my own. I feel fit and healthy to journey to the spring but maybe I’ll visit the Spring of Power first to gain any knowledge. Do not worry about me, send me your finest guards to assist me if you wish, but I can make it there on my own. As for a steed, there are a few at a ranch nearby so please allow me to hire a sand seal to get there.”