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~ENJOY!~


Finally they made their way outside.

It was late afternoon, and Komali could feel the excitement of the day begin to wind down. The sky was a caramel colour, and the sun became a bright orange sphere on the horizon. Gulls cried in the distance, making their way back to their nests for the evening. Only a few crabs remained on the coast, and they scuttled away as the two calmly walked past. Their paces matched, and although they no longer held hands, Komali could still feel a strong connection between them.

"So ... you're Link's brother eh?" Komali began awkwardly. He still needed information from this girl, and now that he felt the guilt of earlier fade, he was going to get it.

"Yes. He and I live with our grandma on a distant island. Wow ... I haven't been there in a while. I sure miss her ..."

Oh, so now she was willing to talk. But, this could come in handy.

"Oh? Why did you leave?"

"Well, it wasn't on purpose. I was kidnapped. By a giant bird. It was ... awful. I was taken to some sort of ... uh ... fortress, where me and two other girls were imprisoned..."

Ah, yes. Komali had heard of this story. The girl who got captured and dragged away by a massive bird. But from what island he couldn't remember. The mail-carrier Quill had brought back news and conveyed it to the whole tribe. But that was months ago ... could this really be her?

"So what brought you to Dragon Roost?"

"Well, after I managed to escape, I wandered the Great Sea for a while, and heard about a young boy, clad in green who was on a mission to save his sister. Well now, doesn't that sound like someone you know? So I took gossip like air and lived off every word I could, finally finding my way here. It was on Greatfish Isle I believe, where a nice goron merchant gave me some advice. He said "Look for the Island where the winged-ones live. The hero will always slay the dragon, it's written in every fairytale." Although I had no idea what he meant at the time, I took it to heart and thanked him. I had my destination." Aryll smiled and turned to face him, "I guess I found it eh?"

"Yeah. ... Why are you looking for your brother though?" The two friends (if he dare call them that) stopped walking and were facing one another now.

"Umm ... He doesn't exactly know I escaped. He was coming to rescue me. I guess I just didn't like the thought of leaving fate into somebody else's hands, you know?"

Komali started at this statement. He did know. The Rito's fate in Link's hands.

"And the worst part is" she continued, "is that I don't know what to do now. I can't bear the thought of having to take care of my grandmother myself. What if something happens to her? I'd never admit it to Link, but I'm still just a child. I don't like to admit it but, I am. And if Link leaves permanently ..."

"It will be your responsibility" Komali finished. She knew him so well. It was as if she was reading his mind.

"Exactly. What if Link were to be hurt trying to rescue me? It will be all my fault! I don't want him to worry about me ... " By this time Aryll was practically in tears, but she held them back well, he gave her credit.

All my fault. Komali's anxiety came from the fear of having to lead the Ritos, and letting them down. This was his fears, all contained in this petite girl's body, and he admired her for her courage. She was not sulking as he had been. This was true strength and independence.

"I – " Komali was cut off by a deafening roar coming from the very top of the island; the home of the Great Valoo. They both whipped around to gaze up at the source.

Komali squinted at the mountaintop, hoping to catch a glimpse of what had transpired. He heard Aryll gasp and saw that she had pulled out a small telescope and was looking through it. Clearly he was missing out ...

Komali took one more attempt at trying to see something, but this time he didn't have to look hard: a massive boulder came hurtling down the cliff side, aimed directly at Aryll. It didn't take a telescope to see the danger she was in.

Aryll's eyes bugged, and she shrieked as Komali leaped at her, sending both of them tumbling to the sand. The ground shook as the boulder hit its mark, rolling to a stop some distance away. A small crack could be heard as the boulder settled in place.

They lie there for a moment, breathing steadily. Komali stood up, and began to brush his robes off. He helped Aryll to her feet, who was still shaking with shock. She snapped out of it as she looked at her empty hands.

"My telescope ... I must've dropped it ... " She looked about frantically, and Komali froze as he realized what the cracking noise had been. Aryll's realization soon followed, and her shoulders slumped. Concern covered her face, as she saw the shattered lens in her once flawless telescope.

Another quake followed and it unbalanced them, making them wobble on their feet.

"Come on. It's not safe out here. Let's get inside." Komali suggested and took Aryll's hand once more.