Chapter 4
All conversation stopped when Tetra walked out onto the deck. The rest of the crew was huddled in a little circle, save Link and Makar, who were talking some distance away. The group all turned to look at her. "What're ya doin'?" she demanded. "Is she ready to go?" Gonzo replied, "We aren't doin' anything. Yup, we're waiting on you." Tetra narrowed her eyes at him before she climbed up the ladder and took the wheel. Everyone else moved to their positions. The gong was sounded, and the ship took off from the little island, along with Medli's rising hope.
As soon as the ship was steadily sailing along the great sea, the lowly crew members snuck below deck, along with Makar, to discuss things with Medli. Makar was placed outside the bunkroom in case if Tetra or Link happened along, and he happily took the post. Once everyone was comfortably strewn about the room, Medli started. "As you all know," she said, "I've brought you here today because of a little scheme of mine. Those two need to show what they think to each other before I go ballistic. Have any of you noticed how Tetra acts around Link?" "Well," Gonzo responded, "she won't talk about him of her own free will, and whenever I bring him up, she immediately changes the subject." All the other pirates muttered in agreement. "And what about Link?" Medli continued. Zuko spoke up, "Sometimes when I'm on watch, I can catch him staring at the captain from across the ship, when she's not looking." "Probably thinking about to get her alone," Niko muttered, and everyone laughed. Senza added, "Oh, hey, I just remembered something! Wanna hear it?" "Do go on," Medli urged.
"Okay," he started. "So once, when I was mopping the deck, I heard Link yell to Miss Tetra something about the mast being broken. Of course, this aroused my attention, so I was going over to where he was when I saw Miss Tetra almost yelling at him. I didn't ask what it was about, but I caught her saying something like, 'Are you blind? The ship's fine!' So I got close enough to hear Link's response. He said, 'Oh, whoops, my mistake,' but he looked really weird, like he was hiding something. For a while, they just stood there, looking at each other. Miss Tetra was glaring at him something fierce. I'd be pretty intimidated myself if I held that look," he shuddered. "Then she stomped away, and Link looked upset. He said, 'Why can't I just talk to her?' and hit his head against the mast. Miss Tetra was certainly right, as the thing held strong as a rock. And then I heard him say, "I'll never get to kiss her at this rate.'" Medli smiled, as she'd already heard Link's confession, but the rest of the crew let out a "Oooooohhhh" and Senza beamed with pride at having provided such a topic of gossip.
"So it's settled," Nudge claimed. "Link likes Miss Tetra. But Miss Medli, how do we know she thinks the same thing? I don't think she'd be interested at all in a guy like him." Medli explained, "It's a part of their ancient history. The past sage, Laruto, told me a bit about it. She said that while Tetra is a strong-willed pirate, she also has the soul of a kind and light-hearted princess. Besides, knowing her, and knowing my judgment, she definitely has a thing for Link. As a matter of fact, I tried to get her to go talk to him a while ago, and she was afraid to." Mako exclaimed, "Miss Tetra? Scared? Ha! Now, tell me about the one with the fish-men!" Medli responded, "Everyone's afraid of something. Looks like our captain is afraid of a little romance." "I don't know," Gonzo added. "I agree with Mako on the fact that Miss Tetra's a tough nut to crack, but she does seem kind of on-edge about him." "Exactly," Medli stated. "So, we just have to slide her right into a situation where she can't run. And we'll just sit back and watch." "Is the cage really necessary?" Nudge asked. "Absolutely," Medli affirmed. "It's just a simple lock-and-key mechanism, something she can't worm her way out of. The hard part is how to get them in there. Link said he'd go willingly, but I think our captain has other opinions." "Leave that to me," Gonzo grinned as he turned to Niko. The little cook smirked back. "Oh yeah," he agreed, "That'll get her." "I don't need to know," Medli decided. "Just get the job done. We're launching the plan at around sundown. That's sure to create an environment suitable for those two." The group laughed.
Everyone froze when they heard a voice outside the door. "What's going on in there, Makar?" "Oh, nothing out of the ordinary, I don't think," replied the tiny Korok. Everyone scrambled to get into a random hammock and act as if they were sleeping. "Really, now?" Tetra argued, and the door swung open. "Alright," she announced, "what-" she stopped, seeing everyone in their hammocks. Zuko opened one eye. "Quiet, Miss," he muttered. "We're trying to get some shut-eye. Been working to prepare the ship all last night, y'know." "Then what's Medli doing in here?" she asked suspiciously. The Rito shot up. "Huh?" she started. "Who said my name?" She looked down at Tetra. Then, she muttered something incomprehensible and lay back down. Tetra glared around the room. There were too many people in here to be a coincidence, and she knew she heard talking. She spun around and strutted out the door.
Gonzo sighed. "That was a close one," he stated, "but she'll be on to us eventually." Medli got out of the hammock. "Get Link," she said. "Time to plan out the play." Zuko scuttled out of the room. "Sorry," Makar squeaked. "No worries!" Medli exclaimed. "You bought us just enough time. You did your job exactly as you should've. Okay, let's have a few people clear out so as to keep Tetra's doubts at bay. Gonzo and Senza, I need you to stay. After I'm through talking with Link, I'll tell you how and where to set up the cage. This meeting is dismissed." All but the trio got up and left.
It wasn't long before Link strode into the cabin. "You called?" he asked and sat down on a hammock. Medli replied, "Of course I did. So apparently, Niko and Gonzo have a plan to get her out of her cabin at sunset. I've decided on trapping you guys right outside the door. It'll be all nice and pretty with pink clouds and whatnot, and there's no way Tetra can wriggle out of this one." She grinned almost evilly while Link blushed a little at the thought of there being a sunset. She was really going all-out. It was better than nothing, though. Link figured he had to make a move sooner or later, and now was his biggest chance. "Alright," he said. "So what, I just wait outside?" "I guess," Medli responded. Link got up, nodded, and left. Medli sighed. "Time to set up, boys." Gonzo and Senza grinned and left the room as well. Medli lay down to wait for sunset. Her work was done.