Chapter Two: Challenge

"I don't care if you've been summoned, you should at least have a sword and shield, otherwise you're not getting through!"

"You fat piece of Keese dung, Mido, move! You don't have those either!"

That hit the spot. Mido, a tall yet scrawny, red short-haired and freckled boy, flinched, and his already red face grew redder, almost obscuring the freckles that dotted his face out of embarrassment.

He and Mido had always butted heads for as long as Link could remember. The earliest memory he had of him was his look of distrust, and the second earliest was getting pushed into a mud puddle. At first he had been so distraught by the treatment he was dealt that he would shut himself away for days at a time. It was only until Saria would come for him that he would be willing to leave the comfort of his home. After some time though, he grew calloused toward the harsh treatment, and eventually he even grew bold enough to fight back. Sometimes those fights got dirty.

The two clashed at the entrance to the path leading to the Great Deku Tree, where today Mido had decided to stand guard. And of course, Mido couldn't pass up the chance to harass him. This was the second excuse to say he couldn't pass. The first was simply because he had no fairy. Of all the things Mido loved to hate him for, perhaps the greatest reason was because he had never had a fairy of his own. It was that reason, for that matter, that most of the rest of the Kokirians chose to leave him be. True, they were friendly when he spoke to them, polite to him when he was with them, but he always thought he saw pity in their eyes. Some made a point to outright ignore him and avoided him at all costs. But it was Mido who had chosen to openly show his contempt for him. All for, so it would appear, because he had no fairy.

Upon seeing Navi though, he had made a double-take. True, technically Navi wasn't his fairy, but he had played on it, and thankfully Navi had not objected. In fact, a quick glance her way told him she seemed to be enjoying herself watching the two of them.

Watching him, primarily. He found it a little awkward, really, being watched. She was observing him, looking for something...

She noticed his gaze, and quickly looked away. He gazed only a moment longer, then faced Mido again. This was more important at the moment. Mido opened his mouth, having recovered enough to speak.

"W-well, not on me now, no, I don't...but I have them! And you don't!" He seemed satisfied with this answer, as if this made any other argument invalid. Link growled, annoyed. He was lying through his teeth, he had no sword, no one did. There was one, the Kokiri Sword, but it was hidden away. He would have a shield, though, and he himself owned one as well. A sword though...

"Fine, I'll go get my shield and sword that apparently I must have." He turned and stalked away, back towards the way he had come. He had no idea what to do about the sword, but for now he would grab his shield.

Navi fluttered into his vision, forcing him to stop in his tracks as she halted in front of him, arms crossed and an equally cross look on her face. "And where do you think you're going?"

"To get a sword and shield, like I said I was going to."

She raised an eye, apparently not convinced. "And you own these?"

"Not a sword," he sighed. "But I'll get one. I'll find the Kokiri Sword, and I'll show Mido, and I'll go to the Great Deku Tree."

"Uh-huh. And how do you plan on doing that?"

Link lowered his head, the conviction wavering. How was he going to? He didn't know where it was, just the rumors about it. But...rumors always had some truth to them, right? Maybe he could find it after all. He looked up to see Navi still there, looking at him expectantly.

"What do you know about the Kokiri Sword?"

~0~

"Trust the know-it-all brothers to know about this place," Link groaned, bringing himself to full height, brushing off his hands and knees as he did so.

The know-it-all brothers, as they were popularly called, were three brothers that seemed to know, well, everything. If one had a problem or was curious about something, one need ask only the Great Deku Tree or the know-it-all brothers, it was said. And they didn't care who you were either. The three brothers had also never treated him unfairly, but they had never reached out as Saria did either. They lived on the top of a hill, beside the training field. Not far from where he lived, actually. It was on the complete opposite end of the village from the entrance to the glade though.

Navi had said she knew about the sword - its properties, its history, and the like - but she knew nothing about the location. Link had hoped she would know, but he luckily had a back-up reference. He had gone to the know-it-all brothers.

"The Kokiri Sword?"

"Yeah, we know."

"And we're pretty sure we're the only ones that know-"

"Besides the Great Deku Tree, of course."

"You'll find it through a hole in the wall. In the training field."

"It's hidden though, blocked by a few rocks-"

"We put them there. It's a wonder no one has moved them."

"If you go, make sure you put them back, mind."

"And don't tell anyone."

"Mido deserves a meal of his words, and this is for the Great Deku Tree-"

"So be happy we told you this much. Take care now."

Navi followed after, flying slowly as she looked around. "I never knew there was a secret here...it was well hidden, for a few pieces of rocks."

"No kidding. I'll have to thank them again later, if this proves true." He shifted his weight, adjusting the strap that held his shield in place on his back. He had grabbed his on the way to the know-it-all brothers. It was simply made, the Deku Shield. Of sturdy wood, it had been carved, the inside polished smooth, while the outside still bore a rugged bark appearance. The center bore the engraved symbol of the Kokiri tribe, painted red: A loop around, not quite a circle, folding inwards like a spiral at the end, with a tail flowing under the spiral from the left. He had gotten his shield about a year previous, winning it in a contest.

The canyon-like area they were in was quite small, large enough for two Kokirians to walk abreast. The sky was open several feet above them. The ground was covered by moss; little sunlight except for the noon hours of the day reached this place. In front of them, there was an intersection of sorts. To the right and center, the path continued for only a few feet. The path to the left extended much farther. And to the left...

"Do you hear something?" Navi suddenly asked, looking at Link. He nodded. "I feel it too." The ground beneath him trembled only slightly, and a deep rumble could be heard. And it came from the left.

"What do you think?" Link asked.

"Be careful, is what I think. Strange how those brothers didn't mention any possible danger."

"Maybe they didn't see any danger in it?" He suggested, taking a deep breath. Even if that was the case, it made him nervous.

Navi made a noise, but he wasn't paying attention. He crept forward, and stuck his head around the corner. And what he saw made his heart jump. He gulped.

He watched as a giant boulder - the source of the shaking and the rumbling, nearly ten times his size he thought - rolled into view, came closer, then disappeared as it rolled to the right. Here too, the walls were high and close together. A second boulder - or was it the same? - came around the bend and repeated the motion.

Confident enough he was not going to be squished yet, he stepped out and shuffled closer. Frightening as it was at first, as he watched it, he could see that it would not be so bad after all. He could run as fast, if not faster, than the boulder...or was it two? The only concern was how far he would have to run.

"Uh, Link, what are you doing?" Navi asked nervously. She was still eyeing the boulder or boulders.

"Thinking. Can you tell me when a boulder comes around that bend over there?" He pointed across from them. "I need to look around this one."

"Thin...Are you...are you crazy?!" She stammered, incredulous.

Link smiled, trying his best to throw off the last bit of nervousness. "Maybe I am, but maybe that's what it takes."

She sighed in exasperation, her hand on her forehead. After a moment, she spoke. "Either you're very brave or very stupid, but fine, I'll watch." She fluttered over to him, landing on his shoulder. "Don't do anything rash without warning me, okay?"

"Thank you, and I won't, promise." He smiled before turning to watch a boulder pass by. As it did, he inched forward to follow after with his eyes. The path it went down wasn't much longer than the one beside him. That meant there was only one boulder, not two. He had a few seconds left to him. He looked at the other end, trying to see if there was another pocket like this one. It was hard to tell, but he was sure there was one...

"Link, rock!"

Before she even finished speaking he jumped back, which caused her to yelp in surprise as the boulder went by.

"I thought I asked you not to do anything rash!"

"Jumping back is rash?" he asked, eyes raised. "How else do I avoid it, inch backwards?"

"Yes it is! And no, but, just, tell me next time or something so I can hold on; I almost fell off!" She huffed, and sat down and his shoulder, arms crossed.

He looked at her for a moment, his face blank. Then he smiled. "Then I should warn you to hold on tight, 'cuz I'm going to make a run for it as soon as that boulder goes by in the next few seconds." As he said it, he heard the boulder come around the bend, making its way towards and ultimately past them.

Navi was not pleased by this. Eyes wide, arms clutching his sleeve already, she exclaimed "Wait, what?!"

She wasn't able to say anything else.

The rock rolled by swiftly, its eternal bass cry resounding, and Link followed suit. He was able to keep pace easily, and discovered there was indeed a little pocket. But there was nothing there, so he continued on his course, turning to the left. Now he could see, past the rock, there was a much wider path jutting to the right. As the rock turned to the left, he departed the path, and slowed to a stop.

Navi was still clutching his sleeve, eyes wide and breathless. "Don't...ever...do that...again."

"It couldn't have been that bad, could it? At least I gave you fair warning." He sighed, but smiled as he looked behind him. This fairy was freaking out over him running, when she could fly two or three times as fast as he could run. It was amusing, to say the least. In response, she scowled, but said nothing.

"How does that boulder keep moving on its own?" he asked, watching it go by. Navi looked back to, and shrugged.

"Magic, I would say. The self-sustaining kind."

"Self-sustaining magic?"

"A lot of earth and nature-based magic can be self-sustained. It draws energy from a source to continue the flow."

"Really? Cool." He smiled. He liked magic, or at least the idea of it; he had never seen magic. Other than the Kokiri's longevity, they had no real magic. Perhaps he would ask the Great Deku tree about it.

Now he turned his attention to in front of him. A large tree stump, the top completely smooth, served as the stage for a large chest. It was big enough where he would have to reach in on his toes, if not balance on the rim of it with his stomach. He stepped up onto the stump, and stood before the chest. He turned to Navi, who seemed to have recovered from the boulder ordeal; she now was looking curiously at the chest.

"I think this is it," Link breathed. Navi simply nodded. He unclasped the metal latch, and opened the chest.

~0~

"Look who returns! If it isn't Mr. No-fairy!" Mido called, a smug grin on his face. "Bet you came to tell me you're sorry, right?"

Link remained silent until he was past the small pond and the shop. Mido remained silent as well, his smug expression fading with every passing second. And with every second Link grinned even more. Navi too was smiling.

"I thought we already established I am no longer fairy-less, Mido." Mido cringed, as if the thought disgusted him. He pressed on his advantage. "I am here to ask you to let me pass again. Before you say anything-"

"I'll never accept you as one of us! Never! Even with a fairy!"

There was silence. People were watching, staring, waiting to see how this would transpire. Some were looking at Mido with disapproval, others were nodding their heads. Others still were curious onlookers. Only one face looked to Link, though he did not see. Behind him a short distance back, Saria was watching, eyeing the two with curiosity and concern.

"Of course you won't," Link whispered, the grin he once possessed gone. "You've never accepted me. For whatever reason. I have never done anything against you, yet you hate me.

"Today you tried again to make my life miserable. You asked me to have a sword and shield before I could pass through. Even though the Great Deku tree summoned me." He let the sentence hang in the air. The nodding heads from before now looked at Mido with shock, along with everyone else. This, to the Kokiri tribe, was disgraceful. Mido continued to stare at Link, his dislike for him etched into his face.

"Here is your sword and shield!" Link cried, pulling the sword from its scabbard and his shield to the front. The shield was visible to all, and was only noted because he carried it; few carried their shields, for they were rarely, if ever, needed.

It was the sword that drew life from the crowd, gasps and whispers erupting. Mido was dumbstruck, eyes wide in both wonder and shock, as he beheld the fabled Kokiri Sword. The hilt of the blade was wood, bound by dark leather, its length only allowing one hand. The guard was simple yet served its purpose, extending from the blade only inches before curving upward to end. Centered in the guard, on either side, was a gleaming ruby, cut into a four-faceted diamond, and a simple gold design surrounded them. The blade itself was polished steel, no more than a foot and a half in length; a long reach for a race so small.

"Do these satisfy you? Am I free to pass?"

Navi came to rest on his shoulder, watching this Mido. She did not like him at all; he was far too conceited and his hatred for Link, childish as it was, was appalling. She turned her head to see Link's face. He was calm, his breathing even. She couldn't help but be impressed by him. Perhaps there was something in him after all, that the Great Deku Tree would favor him. First they went through the effort to get the sword, and now here he was confronting a lifelong enemy. Both times, before and presently, he had, and seemed even now quite calm.

Courage. That single word seemed a fitting description, she told herself.

"Fine," Mido whispered. His face was twisted; he was torn, unable to make any clear expression. Then he spoke again, louder. "Fine. Fine! You win! Go and see what the big man has to say, since he likes you so much! As if I know how you got to be the favorite of the Great Deku Tree and Saria. And you know what? I don't care anymore! Why do I even bother with you, huh?!" Tears had begun to form around his eyes, his face red in his anger. With those final words, he stalked off, the crowd that had gathered parting for him.

Link stood alone, shocked at his reaction. Mido's hatred stemmed from jealousy? He had never thought of that. Sure, he had talked with the Great Deku Tree lots of times, and he and Saria had always been friends. But what was there to be jealous of? Was there favoritism? Was there something he had that Mido lacked? He didn't think so. And those eyes...there was sadness in those eyes; the same hazel eyes that had always looked at him with hatred and conceit. Had it all been for show, a façade?

"Link, are you OK?"

He glanced to his left, where Navi stood lightly on his shoulder. She stared back, concern in her eyes. He had only seen that look from one other person, Saria. Saria cared for him. If Navi was giving the same look, then...

"I think so, yeah." He turned away, facing the small canyon he knew led to the Great Deku Tree. Even from where he stood, he could see his mighty branches stretching high and far. "I...I feel sorry for Mido. I pity him. He was only jealous. If I had known sooner-"

"If you had known, this would only have happened sooner. There was nothing you could have done."

He paused, considering her words. He had to admit that she was probably right. He would not have been able to do anything. Now that this had happened, he could hope that maybe something would work out.

"Come on, the Great Deku Tree is waiting."

He nodded his understanding. With a sigh, he picked up his feet and headed towards the grove.

From several feet away, Saria watched him go, the same look of concern on her face. She looked back, towards Mido's house, then walked away, heading towards her secret spot, alone.