Chapter Four : Into the Woods

The trees of the Faron woods seemed to close in around us as we reached the end of the path. Or what seemed like it. As I looked further ahead, I could see bits and pieces of it between grass clumps. I clung tightly to Link's waist as we stopped abruptly at the bottom of a small hill.

I looked up at Link. He was frowning. "This isn't good..."

"What isn't good?" I asked, knowing very well already what he meant.

"The three of them know they're not supposed to go past this area without me or Rusl..."

I carefully let go of Link's waist and slid off Epona. "Are you sure they're not here?" I asked. It was a big area, after all. They could be anywhere. I began checking around trees and bushes, pulling branches aside. I got up to where the path began to really show again and I heard Beth.

She was resting on a rock farther on down the path. Her head snapped in my direction. I think she was expecting Link, because when she saw me instead, her features darkened. "What do you want?"

"Beth is over here, Link!" I called, ignoring the her question and the fact that she was glaring daggers at me.

Link pulled up behind me on Epona. "Beth, where are Talo and Malo?"

"Talo and Malo went chasing after that thing like crazy people!" Beth said, standing and going over to Link. She clung to Epona as she looked up to him. "They left me behind! I can't keep up with those two!"

"It's okay, Beth. I'm sure they didn't go much farther." Link said, offering me a hand back up onto Epona.

I shook my head. "If they're not much farther, than I'm walking. I haven't ridden a horse in so long, I'm gonna be sore till next week!"

He chuckled a little. "All right." Link turned back to Beth. "Go on home. I'll let you know when we find Talo and Malo."

"But I want to go, too..." The girl pouted, acting like she was irresistible.

I put a hand on her shoulder. "I promise we'll be back as soon as-"

She yanked my hand away, furious. "I didn't ask you, you stupid outsider!" She said the word 'outsider' like it was a disease. "Mind your own business!"

"That's enough, Beth." Link's voice cut in sharply. "Amanda is coming with me, and you will go home. Now."

"But Link, I-"

"I said, now."

We both watched as a now sullen and sulking Beth turned on her heel and went in the other direction. I sighed as I watched her go. Outsider? I wasn't that strange, was I? I don't know what I did wrong, but I must've done something to make her hate me that much.

"Amanda..." Link began, gazing at me with a sadness in those blue eyes of his.

I held up a hand. "No, she's right. I am an outsider. I don't belong here. That's why I'm going home as soon as possible." I smiled a little. "I don't want to cause any more trouble than I already have for all of you."

I walked ahead of Link and I heard him sigh behind me. I like being here. I really do. But it's far past time for me to go home. As soon as we reach the castle and Princess Zelda, I'm gone. That's just the way it has to be.

We were both quiet now as we walked along the forest path. There were birds singing, crickets chirping, but the pleasant atmosphere that the day had started out with was completely gone.

"Amanda!"

I jumped, turning to scowl at Link. "Could you not yell in my ear when you're directly behind me?" I asked.

Link frowned at me. "I'm not." He called, still back where he was a moment ago.

I felt a tug on my shirt and glanced down. Malo stared right back up at me. "Talo's disappeared into the woods." He said. "I'm too tired to keep going, so the rest is up to you and Link." And with that, he turned back and waddled towards the village.

Link walked up beside me on Epona. "What was that all about?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Talo's gone deeper into the woods...he must be still chasing that monkey."

"Across the bridge?"

"Well, if there's more woods over there, then yeah."

We both turned and glanced in that direction. Huge cliffs loomed around on the other side, and I could see no trace of trees anywhere. They must've been further in. I stepped gingerly onto the bridge and looked down. A rushing river raged below, with several sharp rocks jutting out of the water.

Link turned back to me with the same look he had given Beth. Oh, no. This can't be good news, can it? "This is where you turn back." He said.

"Oh no, you are not leaving me here like a little kid." I said.

"It's too dangerous for you to go any further. And on top of that, you're unarmed."

I crossed my arms stubbornly. "Look, ranch hand, the way I see it, you can either leave me here and I'll follow you, or you can take me with you now and I can help you. Either way, I'm going."

He sighed. "Are you always this hard-headed and stubborn?"

I grinned. "Get used to it."

Link pulled Epona up next to a rock and waited expectantly. "Well? Come on. We have to hurry."

I used the rock as a launching pad and vaulted gently onto Epona's back. I hung onto Link's waist for support as the mare took off quickly, hooves clattering on the long wooden bridge. In the game, I thought it looked too old and rickety to go over, but now I see it's as sturdy as any other bridge. I'll have to ask Link later what it's made out of.

The narrow passageway of cliffs was about a half mile long and very eerie. It was like one moment it was bright and sunny, and the next, dark, cloudy, and foreboding. Thankfully that didn't last long and the forest appeared in the distance.

Link began to speed Epona up. "Hang on tight. There's a closed fence ahead that I'm going to jump."

"Jump?" I gulped. I haven't jumped on a horse in years. This isn't going to be a problem is it?

"You'll be okay. Just don't let go of me."

Believe me, I'm won't. I clung tightly to his waist and Epona lifted her legs and sailed over the fence, landing easily on the other side. I let out a shaky sigh of relief as Link slowed Epona down to a trot. My legs would have given in if it weren't for the fact that I was sitting.

Another spring was up ahead, though this one was smaller than the one I'd fallen into. I studied it as closely as I could. This must be Eldin Spring, where the Spirit of Light is. We turned the corner and quickly trotted through a damp and cool cave. On the other side, I breathed a sigh of relief. We'd finally made it to where the lantern cave was. And the lantern.

Link halted Epona and jumped off, offering his hand to me. I took it and slid off, landing on the ground with a soft thud.

"We'll leave Epona here and go on foot the rest of the way." He said, moving to inspect the cave ahead.

When he was one step away from the gates, a large plant-like creature shot up from the ground. It was at least two or three feet taller than Link, and what should have been a flower, was a blue flower bud with ugly red teeth and green slobber. It reared it's head back, ready to attack.

"Link! Look out!" I cried.

He moved just in time, unsheathing his sword and cutting the plant in half. He stuck it once more for good measure, and it shriveled up, leaving a seed in it's place.

"Thank you, Amanda." Link said, sheathing his sword.

"What was that thing?" I asked, creeping up slowly to inspect the remains.

"A Deku Baba. They're pretty common around here, though I wasn't expecting one right there." He ran his fingers through his hair. "That was close."

I stepped closer to the cave, treading carefully in case another Deku Baba decided to pop up. It's been a while since I've played the game, so I can't remember if there are any more outside...I hope not. I hate those things. As soon as I'd noticed it was all clear, I let out the breath I'd been holding and peered inside.

"It's pitch black in there..." I said. "I can't see a thing." I took another small step, my foot landing on something that felt like a board or plank. "Hey! I think I found something!"

Link came over and picked up the thing that'd been under my foot. It was a small wooden stick, that looked like it'd been carved into a play sword. "This is Talo's..." He said.

"Talo's?" Now that he mentioned it, I did see Talo with a play sword earlier...but how did he get past the Deku Baba? It was bigger than Link, so I can only imagine how much bigger than him it was. "But you don't think he'd go any further..."

"No..." Link was frowning fiercely now, a look that didn't suit him at all. "Something is definitely wrong...And I intend to find out what it is.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments he stood, considering. Neither of us seemed to know what to say to the other. It'd been weird since Beth left.

The sudden crunching sound of footsteps from behind us made Link whirl around and draw his sword. He stepped protectively in front of me, ready in case a monster should appear.

A kid, maybe about two years younger than either of us stepped out from the conjoining area. "Whoa! Ordonians!" He said, eyes wide. "I thought I heard people out here." He stepped closer, despite Link still having the sword pointed at him. "Listen, I'm not sure you should be wandering around the woods without and lantern. Just because it's daylight doesn't mean it's safe. There are a ton of caves and dank spots around here that get pretty dark even in the middle of the day."

"You should be the one to talk." I said, annoyed. I don't like this guy's attitude. It's like he owns the woods or something. "You're the one wandering alone."

"Ah! My name is Coro. I live out here!" He said with a smile. "I have a small shop!"

"What do you sell, then?"

"Exactly what people going through theses woods need..." The kid turned back and motioned for us to follow. "I'll show you."

Link hesitated. I could see he didn't trust him. I didn't either, but I knew this was the guy who had the lanterns. Without it, we couldn't make it through the cave. "Come on, we might as well." I said, gently touching his arm and starting to follow after Coro.

"Okay...Just stay close to me." Link said, taking the lead.

I nodded. "Okay."

We plodded through the tall grasses to a small hut, that looked like it would fall down any second. Shingles were coming off the roof, parts of the house were patched together with wooden boards and nails, and it looked like it was leaning.

Coro was sitting on a small log in front of his house. "You made it! Here, guy." He handed Link a lantern. "Take this!"

Link looked suspicious. "Just like that?" He said, examining the thing all over.

"Yup. See, I sell lantern oil here...I'm trying to drum up sales by giving away free lanterns!" He grinned. "It's a business tactic, guy! See, as long as you've got oil to fuel your lantern, you can light you way and set fire to stuff."

I watched as a glimmer of excitement made it's way into Link's eyes when Coro mentioned he could light fire to things with it. He seemed to ease up a bit. "Cool." He said.

"Lanterns are the best! Go on, guy! Try setting a fire under that big pot!"

This seems familiar...ah, yes. Link got this excited when he got the slingshot, too. This isn't going to happen every time he gets a new weapon or something, will it?

Link bent down and lit the fire under a large pot. Coro beamed. "That's right! See! It's on fire, guy! Yeah! You keep using that lantern anytime you feel the need. And if it runs out of oil, you come see me to get it refilled!"

I waited for another few moments while Link chatted with Coro and bought a bottle of lantern oil just in case we ran out.

He came back over to me, a lit lantern in hand, and tucking the bottle of oil into a pouch he wore. "That Coro is not such a bad guy." Link said.

"Oh, really..." I glanced at him as we walked back towards the cave. "I seem to recall that you wanted to slice him in two a few minutes ago..."

He just shook his head and moved ahead of me to inspect the cave, holding the lantern up. I could see a torch ahead now, but that's all I could see. Link turned back to me. "I'll go on ahead and clear out the cave." He cut me off when I started to open my mouth to say something. "Then I'll come back and get you."

I sighed. It was probably a good idea, considering I had no weapon and no idea of how to use one. "I suppose..."

Link folded his arms. "Promise me you'll stay here and not go wandering off."

"Yeah, yeah. I promise." I waved a hand. "Now, go. We have to find Talo before it gets dark. I don't know about you, but I do not want to be in these woods after dark." I shuddered at thought of it. Monsters creeping and crawling everywhere, bugs...It wasn't pretty.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, Amanda." And with that, he was gone.

I sat down, leaning against the rock of the dark cave. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long. Faron Woods seems peaceful in the game, but really, it's not at all. It's eerily quiet, save for the occasional chirp from a bug or bird. In fact, nothing is really like it is in the game. Thing are bigger, scarier, and way too real for comfort.

I always imagined if something like this happened to me, it'd be easy, I'd be good at everything, and stuff would go really smooth. But now...it's just too real. If I die in here, there wouldn't be any "game over" screen, asking me if I want to try it again. If I die in here, I won't ever get to see my home again. My friends, my family...never. If I die in here, it's game over...for real.

So what was I going to do? Go along with Link and finish the game and see if I get to go home? But that could take weeks...months, even. I already miss the noise of my house, my friends, my family...my little kitten, too. I wonder if she's okay? I never did find her...

"Amanda?"

I looked up to see Link standing over me. "Yeah?"

"The cave is all clear. You still want to come with me?" He frowned a little. "You look tired..."

Did I? I shook my head. "No. I'm coming. I want to find Talo, too."

He offered me a hand and I pulled myself up, following him into the cave. The torches along the gloomy passageway were already lit and remains of spiderwebs hung from the ceiling. I shivered and stayed close to Link. I hope he killed any Skulltulas...I hate spiders.

Luckily for me, the cave wasn't very long and soon we were back out. But it wasn't necessarily into daylight. Coro had been right. The deeper you got into the forest, the darker it got. Now it looked more like a semi-foggy evening than the late afternoon that it was.

I glanced around, trying to locate the gate, but I didn't see anything. "Where are we supposed to go?"

"There's a gate on the western side of the woods, that leads to another area. I hope that we can find Talo there." Link replied, scanning the woods carefully, sword in hand and ready.

We made our way through the darkened area, with me trying to trip over any of the tree roots that were sticking out of the ground. It didn't take long to reach the western gate (I'd say about ten minutes or so), which was good. Because it was locked.

"Damn it..." Link hissed under his breath. "This is normally unlocked. Whoever or whatever has taken Talo must've locked it." He kicked the gate. "Damn it!"

I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Calm down. We'll find the key. We'll just start from here and search the forest for it. But if you don't take it easy, we might miss something and it'll take longer."

"I know, but..." He leaned against the gate, staring ahead into the dark tunnel behind it. "He's just a kid. If something happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."

"Link...Talo has a lot of fight in him. I'm sure he's just fine. Maybe a little scared, but just fine."

Link took another moment to compose himself, then turned and faced me with a soft determined smile. "You're right. But I still want to hurry."

"We will, I promise."

I stayed close to Link as we combed the entire forest, starting with the entire west side. I wish I could've told him that I knew where the key was, but I couldn't, and I knew it, so I just kept my mouth shut. When we reached the northern part of the woods, I spotted the cave, easily.

"Hey, let's try that cave over there." I suggested. We weren't finding anything, not even Bublins, which had me worried a little bit. There were at least three or four altogether in this area, weren't there?

Shrugging it off, I followed Link into the damp cave. The lantern light bounced off the walls, revealing the moss and other plant life that grew there. As we reached the end, we could see a chest, sitting above two unlit torches.

"Maybe that's the key." Link said.

"Let's hope so." I agreed. Things have already changed too much for comfort. If the key isn't in that chest, I am going to scream.

As Link handed the lantern to me and jumped up to retrieve the key from the chest, I noticed something slightly illuminated in the dirt between the torches. I crouched down and brushed some of the earth away, revealing what looked like a short spear. Brushing some more dust away, I noticed it was an old halberd.

"Hey...look at this." I said, picking up the rusted weapon. Brushing off some of the dirt, I could see it more clearly. Near the ax was what resembled a butterfly, its' wings inlaid with a red-colored material and a gray-colored material. The long handle-thing was studded with some kind of engraving or jewels, but I couldn't tell. It was too old.

"Looks like it'd fall apart at any second." Link commented, running his fingers along it near the top.

I tossed it up and down a little. "Seems sturdy enough to me." I replied. "And light, too. I think I'll keep it."

Link pocketed the gate key and shrugged. "If you think you can use it, then use it."

"I will."

I could tell he was tired, and so was I, so I didn't say any more. I'll ask Rusl how to use this thing when we get back. He'd probably know more about it than Link would. As we exited the cave, it seemed darker than it'd been before. Well...maybe I'll wait till tomorrow to ask. It'll probably be getting dark by the time we get back.

We were both quiet as we made our way back to the gate in the central western part of the woods. All that was left was to open the gate and go get Talo.

Link slipped the key in the heavy lock and unlocked it, letting it fall to the ground at his feet.

"Not much longer to go, right?" I asked, wearily from behind him.

He turned and studied me, compassion in his eyes. "No, just another half mile or so." He answered quietly. "We'll be able to go back to the village soon."

But that still meant another 45 minutes or so back to where we'd left Epona, and then another 15 minutes back to the village, at least. And this was all after we got Talo from those Bublins that I knew were waiting up ahead at the Forest Temple.

I just nodded. I wasn't going to complain. I was the one who wanted to come along, after all. Link started to walk towards the tunnel, and I followed suit. A moment later, I ran into him, falling back onto the ground.

"Ouch..." I mumbled, rubbing my sore backside. "What'd you stop fo-"

"Shh..." Link said, waving a hand to silence me. He gripped his sword tightly in the other, staring into the dark tunnel ahead.

I quieted, straining to hear whatever he was hearing. But there was nothing. Not even wind. Maybe his pointed ears picked up stuff my round ears didn't? I dunno. Somehow, though I think I'm glad I can't hear whatever it is.

"Stay here." The swordsman ordered, stepping carefully into the tunnel, sword at ready. He disappeared completely and I sat down to wait.

I shouldn't have sat down. The next thing I knew, there was a kind of thudding sound that shook the forest around me. I stood back up, halberd in hand, just as Link came charging out of the cave. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me in the other direction.

"What's going on?" I gasped between breaths as Link pulled me along the forest floor. The thudding was still behind us, getting closer by the second.

He stopped and turned, staring up at something behind me. "That." He said, pointing.

I turned around and immediately saw why he'd run. A giant Ordon goat stood behind us. But it wasn't all cute and friendly like the ones probably on the ranch back in the village. It's fur coat was dark brown or black (I couldn't tell in this light), with with black horns and blood-red eyes. It's teeth looked sharp enough to bite though anything it wanted to. The roar it gave sent chills down my spine, as I clutched tightly to my halberd.

Well, darn it. This never happened in the game.