#riji ily

Riju was good company when she wasn’t sat in her throne, not that she wasn’t impressive when she was, but Link much preferred the mischievous grin on her face over the haughty gaze of a leader.

They had chosen to eat supper on the roof of her bedroom, it wasn't the easiest place to reach, (especially under the watchful eye of Bularia) but Riju was quite competitive and insisted she could climb quicker.

...She was wrong but it had been a close match.

It was nice to be able to spend a moment without worryìng about a veil or appearances, not to mention that eating food and making puns were probably two of Link’s favourite pastimes.

“Not bad for a voe…” Riju teased - she was trying to get a rise out of him and he could see her glancing at his way, cheeky grin and all, out of the corner of his eye. “Give me a few years and I'll squash you flat!”

Link rolled his eyes and chose to demolish the rest of his roasted birds leg rather than rise to the challenge.

He liked the warm evening sun and the rush fresh of desert air from the spring - he liked all of Gerudo town, actually. Well, maybe not the part that barred him from entering. Their culture was so vastly different from what he was used to, and such a bustling town? Few and far between in Hyrule.

It was a refreshing sight for sore eyes (when he wasn’t baking heat).

“How tall would you say Urbosa was?” Riju asked, suddenly.

Link blinked in surprise, he’d been distracted enjoying the atmosphere.

“It’s just that everyone I’ve ever known has told me she was an imposing figure and I... I’m… Vertically I’m not very…” she elaborated, quickly. For the first time since he’d met her Link thought that maybe Riju was a little embarrassed. He felt the beginnings of a smile turn up the corners of mouth, but it was wiped away immediately by the glare she shot him. For someone so young the Gerudo chief was very intimidating.

“Um…” he began and then instantly forgot every word he’d ever learned.

“Nevermind. Forget it,” Riju changed the subject, curtly. Link gulped, entirely convinced she would cut his ears off if he didn’t ‘forget it’ as commended. “It doesn’t matter.”

It was silent for a good minute, broken only by the loud crack as Link snapped his bird bone in two, uncomfortable with the tension.

“She was the tallest of the Champions…” He began, scratching the back of his head, awkwardly. “Er- except for Daruk! But she was very strong, really fearsome and kinda terrifying.”

Riju seemed a little deflated by the description, tight lipped she toyed with her fingers. But she didn’t complain as he’d expected.

“But I’m not… The best judge…” Link continued, trailing off once he realised Riju was looking at him, curiously.

Dammit, he was going to have to say it. Wasn’t he?

“I used to be called “Little guy” because I’m not…”

This whole quest was a terrible idea.

“I’m not very tall.” He admitted.

For what felt like century Riju stared at him, wide eyed and mouth agape, before she broke down into uncontrollable laughter. The hearty sort of belly-laugh that would have made Urbosa proud. He should have stayed quiet.

“I bet they did!” she cackled, pausing only to give him a merciless smack on the back. “You’re the tiniest Voe I’ve ever seen!”

Thanks for nothing, Riju.

“But…” she paused to wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes, trying her best to hold back the chuckle. “You’ve more than proven you have fight in you. Vanquishing Vah Naboris was proof enough of that.”

She rose to her feet, confidence regained.

“After my mother passed away I didn’t have many role models to guide me. My position as chief is challenging but rewarding and I will shoulder it gladly,” The setting sun framed her silhouette and, Link had to admit, leadership suited her - Even if she was barely more than a child. “I want to be the strongest, most powerful ruler the Gerudo have ever seen. I want this to be an age we can be proud of!”

Yes, Urbosa would be proud.