Fan Fiction Friday: Urbosa’s Song – Part 2

A year had passed since we laid my dear friend to rest. In that time, the Yiga Clan had risen to be a greater threat, and my concern for Zelda continued to grow. After much consideration, I chose to travel to Hyrule to pay a visit to old friends. I took the necessary precautions of preparing my soldiers for a potential attack in my absence.

“Lady Urbosa, the troops are prepared. Our people will be safe,” Ateir, one of the armed women assured me.

“Sarqso, Ateir,” I replied. “Our people will be well protected in your hands. Defend our town as if your life depended on it. Our treasured heirloom must be protected at all costs.”

Ateir bowed and walked away through the barracks. I watched as the Gerudo warriors polished their weapons, sparred with each other, and casually checked maps of our homeland. I was leaving Gerudo Town in capable hands and could leave with some peace of mind.

“My Lady, your sand seal is ready. I have sent word with your escort at the gateway to ready your horse at the stable. I wish you safe travels,” one Gerudo woman bowed. All of my servants were attentive and prompt to my needs. Working in the palace was a coveted job among Gerudo women, second to being a warrior.

“Sav’orq, and take care young one.”

I left the palace and traversed through the main walkway of town. My people lined up to bid me safe travels, and sent their wishes for me to give to Hyrule’s rulers. At the city gates I dropped my shield, grabbed the reigns of my sand-seal and headed off into the desert sun.

---

The sun had fallen low when I approached the Gateway between the desert and Hyrule. Fireflies and other animals had begun to creep out and begin their nocturnal habits. A breeze rustled the dry brush and I continued on the dirt pathway towards the Gerudo Canyon Stable. My escort was supposed to have met me by now and I feared that something may have gotten in their way. The Yiga Clan’s influence had spread, and word may have gotten out that I was set to travel these pathways. I pulled the Scimitar of Seven from its sheath and prepared for an ambush. The Daybreaker shield was around my off-hand for a strong defense. The Yiga would not be able to catch me off-guard so easily.

I continued my journey and soon saw a dim lantern light laying in the pathway. I rushed forward and looked around for its owner, but no one was to be found.

“Your escort knew little of our clan,” the Yiga Clansman appeared in a puff of red smoke and laughed maniacally. “We sent him running for his life!”

More puffs of smoke appeared and I became surrounded by men clad in red and black. Their masks bore the symbol of the Sheikah but it was inverted in a perverse manner. Some wielded sickles, while others held long two-handed swords. Regardless of their weaponry, I was outnumbered. But little did they know, they were outclassed! I sprang into action and fought off the first solider. A larger clan member dared to grab my hair, and I kicked him as I fought off another one. I had not fought like this in many years, but the feeling of wielding my cherished weapons brought a smile to my face.

“You may have me outnumbered, but you cannot defeat the Gerudo Chief so easily!” I laughed heartily.

“We are losing too many men! Master will be displeased!” one foot-soldier cried.

“No!” a larger member disagreed. “Stay and fight. Once we defeat their chief, we will take her city while it is unprotected.”

“Is that so?” I stopped in my tracks and sheathed my sword. The Yiga stopped and trembled with fear. They had heard the legends of a furious Gerudo woman who could command lightning itself. I placed my shield upon my back and raised my hand in the air. The clouds above us rumbled ominously.

“Sir, we must retreat!” the clan members urged.

The large clan member held his ground and drew his sword to me, “Fight me, woman. I have no fear!”

“Then behold my fury!” I merely snapped my fingers once and lightning erupted across the sky. The Yiga foot-soldiers fled in different directions through the canyon. I snapped my fingers again, and lightning struck them in their tracks. The Yiga Clan’s cries of failure and agony echoed throughout the canyon as they suffered my fury. I snapped again, and the larger Yiga man succumbed as well. “And now you know the legend is true….”

Thunder rumbled across the sky again and rain began to fall. It was a refreshing relief after an arduous battle.

“Lady Urbosa?”

His voice was soft spoken. He was definitely a Hylian by he looks, but he was not my familiar escort.

“Oh! Lady Urbosa, it is you! I do apologize for your escort failing to meet you. I hurried out here as fast as I could, but without a horse I could only sprint. Please, tell me that you are all right.”

He looked around and saw the Yiga Clan members sprawled along the canyon floor. His mouth fell open, but I spoke before he could even ask.

“Yes, sir, I am all right. The Yiga Clan have risen in power over the last year and they thought they could catch me off guard. Now, I believe that the stable is close? Shall we get out of the rain?” I said, pressing on.

The man looked around again and ran next to me, “Of course My Lady, and thank you!”

---

The rest of the night passed uneventfully and the sun rose on a new day. My escort apologized many times over, and I assured him that his absence was reasonable. After a meal of vegetables and eggs, we pressed onward towards the fields of Hyrule. I thought back to the decisions that lead me here. My concern for Zelda had grown since I saw her last, and her father’s letters only sealed my concern. Zelda had begun her training to unlock her latent power. As much as I disagreed with the king for starting at such a young age; it had to be done at some time. I just wished that Zelda could enjoy being a child.

The hours on horseback lengthened but soon enough we were passing through the gates of Hyrule Castle. I gazed upon the spires and towers as we rode. The structure had not changed, but it looked different, somehow. It was as if some life had left this beautiful place. A life had left; the life of my dear friend. A sense of sadness crept over me, but I knew that my cherished friend was in the arms of the Goddess.

“Lady Urbosa, so good to see you again,” the King of Hyrule had met me out on the castle grounds. It was late in the evening and long shadows were cast by the castles tall spires.

“Dear Rhoam, you did not have to come all the way out here to meet me!” I said, dismounting my horse. “I half expected you to be tucking Zelda in for bed.”

The king sighed, “Zelda made her way to bed a few hours ago. After spending the day with her studies, and going over the plan for tomorrow, she headed off for the evening. I imagine that she is still awake pouring over her books. She’s such a curious child. She showed me this odd frog today; slimy thing, but it was a joy to see her smiling for once.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked curiously, as we walked towards the castle.

“Tomorrow she is going to the Spring of Wisdom to train. You are welcome to accompany her if you would like. I know I had mentioned that she had begun her training in my letters,” King Rhoam said, bidding the guards not to follow as we stepped into the castle.

“I would love to accompany the princess, I did come to visit with her after all. The Spring is all the way on Mount Lanayru, correct? I haven’t journeyed out beyond Central Hyrule in many years, so I look forward to this trip,” I said with a smile. “I imagine that we shall depart very early in the morning.”

“Indeed, you could make the trip in one day. But I have consulted with Lady Impa of Kakariko Village, and she has allowed the party to stay with her in the village overnight. The journey to Kakariko is half a day’s ride on horseback. I would feel much better with Zelda not sleeping in the cold mountain range.”

“I am not familiar with Impa. Is she a friend of the Royal Family?”

The king smiled, “Oh yes, a longtime friend. Lady Impa is the leader of the Sheikah Tribe. I imagine that you might remember the name now?”

I did. The Yiga were those who split from the Sheikah. “I have never met Lady Impa myself, but I look forward to making her acquaintance. Maybe she can offer advice on how to help my people with the threat of the Yiga. I was ambushed on my travels yesterday. Thankfully I fought them all off.”

Worry spread across King Rhoam’s face, “I am very thankful that you have arrived to us unharmed. The Goddess must be keeping a close eye on you.”

I’m sure she was, as was my dear friend. Rhoam and I went over tomorrows plans once more and partook in more small talk before bidding our farewells for the evening. As I slid into the silky sheets, I could only think about what the next few days would hold for Zelda. I prayed that her mother’s spirit would watch over her tomorrow.

---

Morning rose on a new day. I arose early and packed my few things for our journey. The castle staff was bustling around as I entered the Great Hall for my morning meal. Zelda was sitting at the end of a grand table a lone swirling her spoon in a bowl of porridge.

“Good morning little bird.” I said, patting her on the head.

She stood quickly from her seat and bowed, “Lady Urbosa…” She was clearly flustered. It had only been a year since her mother’s death, but she was so proper and mature for a child of seven.”

“Dear child, please, you know me well enough now that you may hug me if you wish.” Zelda smiled, a smile that I had not seen in ages, and ran into my embrace. “There, feel better?”

“I do. Father says that we will depart soon. I am so glad that you are coming with us!” Zelda said, looking up at me with her green eyes.

“I am glad to join you and I will keep you safe as we travel.” I said, showing her back to her seat and taking the chair next to her. A servant served me a bowl of porridge with glazed fruit and Zelda and I sat and ate breakfast together. Zelda told me about her studies, of all the strange insects and small creatures that she had found around the castle grounds, she spoke of her mother, and she also spoke of a young knight that she had met roaming the castle grounds. Soon enough it was time to leave. King Rhoam kissed his daughters forehead before he helped her mount her horse. He spoke sternly to the guards and party leader begging them to make sure that Zelda stayed safe.

“Safe travels my dear friend. Please have Zelda report to me once she is done training at the spring.” Rhoam said, giving me a quick hug.

“Of course. I will accompany her to the spring as well. She is safe in my care.”

The bid Hyrule Castle our farewells and set off on our journey to Mount Lanyard.

---

The king was correct in his prediction that our journey to Kakariko Village would be half a day’s journey. We stopped at a stable outside the village to water and rest our horses. Zelda marveled at all of the wild horses in the fields around us. She begged me to help her tame one, but taming a horse was far different than taming sand seals! She pouted, but I assured her that she would not want a wild horse to ride on the journey. After a brief stay at the stable, we continued our journey to Kakariko.

Kakariko Village was far different from any village I had ever entered. The culture was far different from the rest of the land, and even further from my own. Cuccos roamed the main strip of the town, and a towering house lay nestled in front of large waterfall. People with white hair and white attire roamed the town, harvesting pumpkins and trading goods. It was a beautiful town nestled in the nook of a mountain. Our entourage road in and we were greeted with warm welcomes. A villager lead us and helped us to house our horses. Zelda’s eyes drifted around to all the banners and colors around the village.

“Urbosa, Father said that we are to stay with Lady Impa. Do you know her?”

“No child, I do not. But I have heard a great deal about her. There is nothing to fear, we are welcomed here.”

I took Zelda’s hand and lead her to the center of the village. As we walked, Zelda noticed a Goddess statue isolated in a small pond. She asked if she could say a quick prayer before we met Impa. I followed her as she crossed the wooden bridge, careful to give her the space she needed.

“Such a pious child. I admire her; and so young!” a strange and unfamiliar voice sounded, and I could feel a new presence stand next to me. “Lady Urbosa, Chief of the Gerudo. I have heard much about you from the winds.”

I shifted my gaze from Zelda to the newcomer. She looked much like the other Sheikah women, but her eyes were wise. She was a slim woman with white hair tied up with red ribbon in a tight fashion. A large hat covered the majority of her head and the symbol of the Sheikah was painted on her forehead. “Are you the one they call Impa?” I asked.

“Indeed I am. I’m glad that you both are here. Rhoam has told me much about his expectations of Zelda, but I pray that he is not too hard on her.”

We both watched as Zelda finished her prayer and stood up. She brushed off her brown pants and walked towards us. “Thank you for waiting. Urbosa, who is this?”

“Ah, sweet Zelda. I am Impa. Your father has told us much about you. I am glad that you’re here. I have planned a special treat for you tonight. Please, come with me.”

Zelda looked at Impa and back at me hesitantly. I nodded in approval and we followed Impa from the shrine to the large house in front of the waterfall. Impa and Zelda began to talk as if they were old friends. I was very glad that Zelda was a polite and well-mannered child. Her smile returned as they talked. I also couldn’t help but smile as Impa indulged her.

We stepped into the grand house and Impa turned to me, “Lady Urbosa, my village and I have planned a feast for Zelda and our visitors. I do hope that you join us.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it!” I replied with enthusiasm.

---

As night fell, Kakariko Village lit up with a new kind of life. All of the lanterns were lit, the villagers played joyous music, and a feast was prepared in honor of the visiting princess. Zelda danced with the other children and her smile was brighter than I had ever seen. We ate a grand feast of fortified pumpkin stew, meat, and glazed vegetables. Stories of Sheikah legend were told, and there was more music and dancing. At one point Zelda pulled me in to dance with her! The dancing of the Sheikah was far more joyous then the fluid dancing that we had back home. Zelda spun and twirled and held my hands as we moved to the music. I could only imagine the kind of worry that Zelda was harboring in her heart, but tonight was just the thing that she needed.

At the end of the festivities, Impa presented Zelda with a beautiful embroidered cloak. “Please remember our people when you wear it, and I do hope that you come to visit me again, young Zelda.”

“Of course Lady Impa!” Zelda replied, taking the cloak. “Thank you so much.”

The Sheikah clapped as Zelda put on the cloak and spun around for us to see. After the festivities, Impa and I took Zelda back to Impa’s house to rest. I took Zelda upstairs, helped her dress for bed, and tucked her in.

“Lady Urbosa?” she asked in a tired voice.

“Yes, my little bird?” I sat next to her bed and held her hand.

“Would you tell me a story about your people? A Gerudo legend?” she asked, her tired eyes still bright from the festival.

I nodded, “Of course. I will tell you the story of The Seven Heroines. Many powerful women came long before my ancestors were born. My people have long revered these women as protectors of our land. The heroines represented a different power: skill, spirit, endurance, knowledge, flight, motion, and gentleness. People came from all over to visit the heroines and seek their wisdom as they traveled across Gerudo Desert. Over the years my ancient people erected statues and told their stories of heroism. It is said that there are more legends of the heroines that books can hold!” As I finished the story Zelda’s eyes grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep. I kissed her forehead and blew out the lantern and headed to the adjacent room.

If only Zelda could live in this blissful youth forever. I wanted my little bird could dance to the music and wear beautiful cloaks for the rest of her life. If only she could ask for bedtime stories and live in blissful wonder. Alas, though Zelda be a child, she was a child born of a Goddess bloodline. She deserved so much more than this hard life. I wanted my little bird to fly without fear.

I prayed to the Goddess for her strength, Oh Hylia, please bless my little bird tomorrow. Please give her your power.