A Hidden Kindness

2619 words

A few nights later, Princess Zelda was hosting a charity event for injured soldiers at the castle. She had gone all out on planning the gala. Her chefs prepared their finest meals and her musicians played all through the night. Only the richest families in Hyrule had been invited and they were making donations at various times during the night. Naturally, Zelda brought Link with her. Sheik, as a prince, was expected to attend and he brought Kaikoura along with him. Rabia was there as one of the many musicians. She had just gone on break when a man a little smaller than her bumped into her, nearly knocking her over. He steadied his drink with a small gasp.

“I apologize, I wasn’t looking where I was going!” he said. He was dressed in regal purples and wore an elaborate jeweled brooch on his cloak, which had been knocked to the floor as they bumped.

“Is this yours?” Rabia asked. She handed the item to him. He smiled and bowed.

“Thank you,” he stammered. She smiled at him.

“No problem.” She wandered off to chat with others and get a drink as well. She noticed that the man kept looking over at her. Once she had returned to her post, she turned to see if he was still watching. He had gone missing in the crowd, so she shrugged and resumed on her flute once more. Link was impressing Zelda with his waltz on the floor, and Sheik and Kaikoura had joined a drinking game by the bar. The event was a huge success, so Rabia was thrilled when she was allowed an extra break. She skipped merrily toward her friends at the bar when she was once again stopped by the short purple man. He smiled at her, staring at her with his bright red eyes. He extended a hand to her.

“Would you like to dance?” he offered.

“Oh… um…” she peeked around his shoulder at her friends. They were obviously very drunk. “Sure, why not?” she said, taking the offered hand. She let him lead her onto the dance floor to dance to one of the slow songs. “I’m Rabia,” she said to him after a silence. “What’s your name?” He smiled.

“Nice to meet you Rabia. I’m Lord Vaati,” he answered. “Does the princess throw big parties like this often?”

“Often enough for me to keep a steady job,” Rabia smiled. “At least once every other week.”

“Wow...” he said in awe. He twirled them around, his long pale hair flowing behind him. “So you live in town then? Or even in the castle?” He looked at her, impressed.

“I live in town,” she smiled. “Though I do spend a lot of time here between practicing with the band and other things.” He grinned.

“That sounds so nice. The castle is so big and beautiful.”

“Yeah, it is… my favorite part of it is the courtyard,” Rabia said. “It’s pretty much a huge garden. At night it’s lit up with fairy lights.” His eyes got big.

“Yeah? Wow, that sounds fantastic...” He continued to twirl them in circles, deftly avoiding stepping on her toes.

“...Do you want to see?” She asked, giggling at his expression. He suddenly stopped, nodding.

“Yes, I would love to see this garden.” The two exited the ballroom, seen by no one as they slipped away. Rabia led him down a stone pathway through the garden to a small gazebo set off to the side.

“The band usually plays over here… the pianist and sometimes a soloist are on the gazebo… but the scenery is nice.” There was a fountain nearby, and a weeping cherry tree draped in white fairy lights, with actual fairies fluttering about the blossomed branches.Vaati looked at everything wide-eyed, his mouth agape.

“Wow...wow...” he continued to repeat softly. Rabia sat down on the piano bench, plunking out a simple but pretty melody.

“It’s a nice place to think,” she said. Vaati shuffled over and took a seat beside her, tapping on a few keys himself.

“You play the piano too?” he asked.

“Only a little,” she answered. “Nothing fancy but... I can play a few simple ones.” Rabia started playing the melody of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Vaati sat down beside her to listen, before adding in a bass part as well. Rabia smiled to herself. "You're really good..."

“Thank you,” he said with a blush. She gave him a small smile as they finished their piece.

“Well... it's getting late... the party will be wrapping up soon, so I'd better get back." He stood from the bench and bowed.

“Right, yes... thank you for dancing with me.” He smiled at her again.

“I'll see you later," she said, then wandered back inside. Zelda was saying goodbye to the wealthy aristocrats that had attended the event. Rabia snuck in so Zelda didn’t see her and made her way over to where the band was packing up to gather her things. Cecil was giving her strange looks. “...What?” Rabia asked.

“I didn’t see Ganondorf here tonight… where did you disappear to?” he asked.

“Just out to the courtyard. It’s nice outside,” she shrugged as she put her flute back into its case. “Besides… I don’t think Ganondorf and I are going to be a thing much longer. You don’t have to worry about that.” Cecil clapped.

“Oh good! He’s no good anyway.” He patted Rabia’s shoulder roughly. “You should tell your father if you haven’t already.” He turned to finish picking up his stuff before he walked away.

“Yeah… thanks…” she grabbed her music and went to find her dad for her ride home.

~ VAATISPURPLEBUTTVAATISPURPLEBUTTVAATISPURPLEBUTT ~

It was early morning when Rabia snuck out of her house. The sun was starting to rise, and her whole family was still asleep. She got her horse ready to go, even though he was kinda grumpy about being woken up so early.

“Come on Duke… we have to go,” she said, stroking his mane. “I’ll buy you a yummy caaaarroooot…” His ears perked up and he trotted out of the stables. Rabia mounted the horse and they galloped off to meet Ganondorf in Hyrule Fields. It was nearly noon by the time she saw his horse approaching over a nearby hill. He waved to her in the distance. Rabia urged her horse towards him, meeting him at the top.

“Hi!’ She chirped, hopping off her horse. Duke nudged her, nearly knocking her over. “Hey, stop, you’ll get your carrot later,” she scowled at him. He dismounted as well and gave Rabia a big smile.

“Hello. It feels like it’s been so long since I last saw you.” He laughed. “Did you want to rest before we head to Gerudo Valley?” he asked.

“No, I’m good,” she said. Duke nudged her again. “Oh, you’re such an asshole!” she poked his nose. “Stop it.” She remounted the horse. “I’ll follow you.” He tossed her a carrot.

“Just give it to him,” he said with a laugh. He jumped back on his horse and trotted back from the direction he had come from.

“Oh. Thanks,” she laughed. Duke munched on it happily before trotting off after Ganondorf. “He’s a pain,” she said, shaking her head.

“Kind of like you?” he joked.

“Woooow, ruuuuude!” she laughed. “But… yeah, I guess that’s why I like him so much.” Duke snorted and tossed his head. He laughed.

“I warn you, it’s a bit of a journey to get to the valley.”

“I’m sure we can handle it,” she smiled. He smiled as well and trekked on. Nearly two hours later, the path from Hyrule Field disappeared. They were rounding a small cliff, and the earth below them changed from grassy to red and clay-like. Rabia looked behind her to see that the castle was out of sight by now.

“We’ll be in the valley soon,” Ganondorf called over his shoulder. Duke picked up the pace to catch up to Ganondorf’s horse. Rabia was beginning to feel the heat, and fanned herself with her hand.

“How is there just such a sudden change from Hyrule’s weather here?” she asked. Ganondorf laughed.

“It’s still pretty cool here; wait until we get to the desert.” Rabia huffed. Soon, they crossed a tiny bridge and then reached another larger wooden bridge. Rabia led her horse over it with caution. She looked over the edge with a gulp. A river stretched endlessly below her, the current so fast that the water appeared to be staying still. She quickly looked back up and hurried after Ganondorf. As they disembarked from the bridge, Rabia noticed three Gerudo guards standing by the edge. They watched her curiously and bowed as Ganondorf passed.

The valley suddenly seemed more populated, with some tents littered about and groups of women and children going about their lives. Rabia tried her best to look ahead of her as some of the villagers turned to stare at them. Once they reached the other side of the tiny outer village, they continued on into an entrance between the valley’s tall walls. And soon after that, they ascended a small set of steps. Before them was a massive, impressive fortress, guarded heavily by many women with spears.

“I live just beyond the fortress,” he said. The guards bowed as he went by, though they eyed Rabia with suspicion. The sand slipped from under their horses’ hooves, making the trip drag on. They climbed a steep hill before finally reached a building similar to the fortress. The only difference were the three towers atop it.

“This is where you live?” she asked. He smiled.

“Yeah.” They dismounted their horses and he waited for her to catch up to him.

“I hope you have air conditioning or something,” she panted. Ganondorf laughed and led her inside. “Wow…” she looked around with wide eyes. The entryway was large and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows to tempt in a breeze. The red drapes were pulled away from them, letting the sun cast off the golden walls. Ganondorf took Rabia’s hand and led her up a spiral staircase to the top of the right-hand tower. There was a massive, circular room, with an organ built along the wall. “Wow… Your house is beautiful.” She sat down on one of the chairs. “And now you have to play me something.” He grinned and took a seat before the organ.

“I suppose I could play one song,” he said. He searched through a box of music for the piece he wanted, then selected Bach’s Fantasia in C Major and started to play. Rabia jumped at the first note, surprised at the volume, but smiled as he continued to play.

“That was pretty,” Rabia said when he finished, giving him a smile. “So… do you play the rest of the instruments you have in here, too?” she asked, tilting her head. “I mean, I would imagine piano is similar to the organ in some ways… but the cello?” He laughed.

“I actually haven’t touched the cello in a while, but I can play it,” he said. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a flute for you to play for me. Is that the only instrument you play?”

“No. I play piccolo and guitar, too. I can kind of play piano and clarinet but… you wouldn’t want to hear that.” He laughed again.

“Oh come on, I’m sure it’s not that bad.” He motioned to the piano. “You can play if you’d like.” She gave him a look.

“I feel bad for your ears,” she said, sitting at the piano. “Hmm… I’m going from memory, so hopefully it’ll be okay...” She started playing I Won’t Say I’m In Love from Hercules, not that Ganondorf knew that. He stood behind her and watched as she played. She finished the piece and looked up at him. “I think I skipped a verse,” she started laughing.

“Sounded pretty good to me,” he answered. He set his hands on her shoulders.

“Oh, thanks,” she said, still giggling. “Oh well, could’ve been worse I guess.” She turned around on the bench to look at him.

“It sounded nice.” He leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips. Rabia smiled and kissed him back. There was a quiet cough from the doorway and she pulled away quickly.

“Sorry to interrupt, Ganondorf,” a woman was standing in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest, staring at him with steely eyes. Ganondorf looked at her.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I just heard rumors that you had brought a friend,” she said. She raised an eyebrow. “Do you remember the conversation we had about this?” Ganondorf narrowed his eyes.

“Nabooru, get out. It’s none of your concern who I bring into the desert.” She laughed.

“Really? This is none of my business?” She stepped into the room. “You have one duty, Ganondorf, and that is to protect the Gerudo people. Are you aware that this girl is close friends with the princess?”

“Why should that matter?” he growled. “Like I said, this is none of your business. Get out.” Nabooru looked at Rabia suspiciously.

“Don’t get your hopes up with the stunts he’s pulling now. The romance is gone quickly, I can assure you.” She looked at Ganondorf again with a frown. “You might want to wipe the lipstick off.” She turned and left the room, fuming. Ganondorf wiped at his mouth with his sleeve.

“I thought it looked good!” Rabia said. “I’m guessing she’s an ex?” He sighed.

“Not exactly,” he muttered. “She’s my second-in-command. Don’t worry about her, she’s always angry.” He took a seat next to Rabia on the piano bench. Rabia kissed his cheek.

“Alright,” she smiled. “I’ll take your word for it.” She took his hand in hers. He smiled back. She glanced out the window and gasped. “Shit! It’s getting late, I have to go, Ganondorf.” He hopped up from the bench and led her outside.

“I’ll take you to Hyrule Field. You know where to go from there?” he said.

“Yeah,” she smiled. “Thank you.” They got back on their horses and she followed him back to Hyrule Field. “That was fun,” she smiled. “Text me, okay?” He smiled.

“Will do.” He turned and left her alone in the field. The sun was starting to set, so Rabia urged her horse into a gallop on the pathway towards castle town. She arrived home just after dark and went inside after she fed Duke another carrot.

~ VAATISPURPLEBUTTVAATISPURPLEBUTTVAATISPURPLEBUTT ~

“And where were you all day?” Saul asked as soon as the door closed behind her, hands on his hips. “You ignored my texts, you didn’t leave a note, I was about to send out a search party!” Rabia blinked.

“Oh… sorry,” she checked her phone. “Huh. It died on me. Anyway, I was breaking up with Ganondorf,” she said. “I could’ve sworn I left you a note…”

“WHAT?! You went to see him ALONE?!” Saul sat down on the couch and took a few, deep breaths.

“Yeah, I didn’t think having an audience for a break-up was a great idea…” Rabia muttered. “That would be really bitchy.” Saul closed his eyes.

“I’m glad you’re done with him, Rabia, but that was really dangerous,” he said slowly. “Just… go to bed.”

“It’s 7 o’clock,” she replied.

“Go. To. Bed.”

“Ugh, fiiiine…” she went upstairs to her room. Saul sighed to himself. Petra walked in and sat down beside him.

“Are you alright, honey?”

“I can feel the grey hairs, Petra… that girl is going to be the death of me,” he said, shaking his head. Petra rubbed his back.

“Awww… okay, let's go cuddle, then. That always makes you feel better.” She kissed his cheek and they went upstairs too.