-Chapter 7-
Party like a Rock

Link and Zelda walked up the terrace that led to Kakariko Village. The village construction workers were running around hauling long timbers over their shoulders. Link watched them work, despite already knowing the shooting gallery was going to be built on that site. It was just he had never seen the workers actually… work. He gazed at one, remembering him to be the old fart that was hiding behind the stairs. He was happily nailing down some tacks around the perimeter of the site. As they continued walking, Link easily spotted the lone windmill. There was no wind today, so the sails were stagnant. By some feat of engineering, the rotation of the heavy sails guided water into the central well. Water levels could easily rise and fall. He smiled as he watched a couple kids throw green rupees into the well. He made a mental note to retrieve them later.

"Come on, Link," Zelda urged as she pulled on his arm. "We don't want to get late for the party."

Link nodded. "I know, just give me a second." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a rupee and flipped it into the well. It landed with a ker-plunk and slowly descended down the depths.

"What did you just do?" the princess asked once Link caught up to her. She eyed the water hole with a confused look etched on her face.

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"If you drop some money in the well and make a wish, it comes true."

Zelda instantly beamed. "So what did you wish for?"

"That's the catch. You're not supposed to tell anyone or it won't come true."

"Ohhh," the princess mouthed. "I'll go and try it." Zelda hustled over to the well and placed a rupee in her balled fist. Holding it over her heart, she closed her eyes, repeated exactly what the little kids had done. I want to see Link again, in the future. She smiled as she dropped the crystal into the water before running back to Link all giddy.

Link chuckled. "Did you make your wish?"

"Yeah, but I'm not telling. It's a secret."

"Could I at least guess?"

"Ok."

"You wished for a new horse."

"No," Zelda flatly answered.

"What about a new dress?"

"I already have tons! Now that you mention it, there were these cute shoes daddy didn't get for me. I should have wished for that too. Could we go back? I want to wish for one more thing."

"I don't think it works that way," Link said with a laugh. "I think there's a time limit."

Zelda frowned. She really wanted those shoes. "Could I wish for them tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Yes!" the princess cheered. She was going to see adult Link (HAWT!) and get a new pair of kicks. She couldn't wait.

The two friends kept walking and soon found themselves at the foot of Death Mountain. The giant volcano was spouting white smoke that formed pictures in the sky. Link spotted one that looked like Darunia and another that looked like the Goron's Ruby.

"Whoa! Hey, hold it!" a guard whistled. Link immediately tensed up and prepared to get thrown out on his butt. "Don't tell me you're planning to up the mountain? I hate to say it, but that's a no-no. Only the Royal Family can go up there."

"What if he's going up there with me?" Zelda asked as she stepped out from behind Link.

"I'm sure you can," the soldier nodded. "However due to safety reasons, I can't escort you up there. We're kind of short today. There was a rock slide that took out one soldier who was on guard last night."

"I'm sure we will be fine," she said turning to Link. "My friend will be accompanying me."

The soldier tilted his head past the princess and eyed the green dressed boy. "That friend?"

Zelda nodded.

The man crossed his arms sternly. "He doesn't have the proper shield. You need a fire proof shield if you want to traverse up the mountain. This is an active volcano site. Flaming rocks will be coming down on your head."

Link took out his Hylian Shield and strapped it to his back. He demonstrated the proper blocking technique, bending over so you look like a turtle.

"Next, you need bombs to scatter the giant rocks that will get in your way."

Link held out a bomb and placed it by the man's feet.

"Ok…what about a keaton mask? Yes, that's right! A keaton mask, you need a keaton mask." The soldier smiled. He had stumped the boy now. The Happy Mask shop had opened in Castletown recently and fox masks were a hot item. He had been meaning to get one for his own child, but due to the demand and popularity, they had run out. Sorry kid, but your luck has run out. There is no way I'm letting you up this mountain.

Zelda turned to Link with bewilderment on her face. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "I don't have that mask," she told the boy. "I have the bunny ears at home. Those are cute."

Link turned to the soldier who just grinned in return. "Well?"

Sighing, Link dug through his inventory. It was in here somewhere. Very many people didn't know that Link was somewhat of a collector. He had magic beans, fish, vial potions, bottled fairies, Skulltula tokens, and giant poes. But where the heck was that mask?

"Link did you find it?" Zelda asked as she tapped him on the shoulder. He had his entire head in his traveling bag, violently sifting through it like he was a gold miner.

"HA! I found it. I knew it was in here somewhere," Link rejoiced has he pulled his head out. He had a giant smile on his face as he threw the fox mask on the ground. "I even found some milk…that spoiled."

"Ew." Zelda scrunched her nose as she took the bottle and chucked it aside. The white pressurized liquid had turned yellow with white spotches that had formed on the side of the bottle. Zelda shivered as she wondered what Link was doing with rotten milk.

The soldier was in bewilderment as he picked up the mask and verified its authenticity. He looked back up at the pair and dropped his hands to his side. "Alright," he sighed. "You may go up the mountain, but if anything happens you come back here pronto!"

Link saluted, trying to keep a straight face. He had duped that soldier twice in his lifetime. He took Zelda by the hand, and together they went up the mountain.

The Death Mountain path was horrible. There were potholes deep enough to bury a body, and large rocks were embedded into the mountain wall. Link squeezed his way through, careful not to let go of Zelda's hand. The slope was steeper than he had remembered, and he slipped a couple times.

Behind him, Zelda wasn't faring any better. The large boulders scraped her skin every time she brushed against one, and she was constantly getting tripped up by the craters in the ground. Not to mention, the heat was stifling. Death Mountain was home to the mystic Fire Temple. The name said it all.

"Are we almost at the top?" Zelda asked as she rested her tired legs.

"Almost," Link replied as he craned his neck to get a view from the side. "It's just a bit further once we find Dodongo's Cavern."

"Dodongo's Cavern?"

"Yeah, apparently Darunia has a pet dodongo."

Zelda now was confused. "Aren't dodongos dangerous?

"Don't worry," Link assured her. "The dodongo is harmless. It's like a puppy."

Link continued walking and was now getting disheartened. Did I miss the cavern? Link scratched his head. It was impossible for him to get lost. The slope up to Goron City was a one-way route. Even with the landscape in tatters by the falling rocks, it was impossible to lose your way.

As Link was looking around, trying to find anything to pinpoint his location, Zelda decided to sit down in the comfort of a soft patch of soil. No sooner did she sit, did she find herself slowly sinking into the ground.

"LINK!"

The said boy hurriedly turned around to find Zelda waist deep in a pit. He rushed over and pulled her out. As Zelda was catching her breath, Link bent down and placed his hand in the dirt. Bingo. Reaching into his pocket, he dug around for the magical beans he had been ripped off into buying. The seller had told him that these fast growing seeds sprouted plants. They didn't taste very good, Link found out. Taking one, he plopped it into the ground and buried it. Instantly, a sprout sprung up, followed by two green petals. Within moments, the entire plant came into fruition.

Link stepped on it and offered his hand to Zelda. "Come on."

"What?" The girl stared down at the hovering plant.

"Don't tell me you never took a ride on flying plant before? Just take my hand."

Zelda reluctantly climbed on, and the plant immediately rose up. The girl let out a whelp and clung tightly to Link.

"Where is this plant taking us?"

"To Goron City. This is much faster than walking."

Zelda smiled, thankful to be off her feet, literally. She looked over to the side; the view was amazing. The sun was starting to set, and she could see the dim lights of Kakariko Village down below. Zelda reclined against Link's chest and let out a peaceful sigh.

The hovering plant slowly descended just outside the Goron city. Link jumped off and took Zelda's hand as he carefully helped her down. Free from the weight, the plant retracted down the mountain.

"Ah, someone from the Royal Family," someone called out. Link immediately recognized the brash and hearty voice as Darunia.

"It's a pleasure to have you with us, Princess Zelda."

"The pleasure is all mine, Goron Boss. I thank you for inviting me."

"I was shocked not to receive your RSVP, but I am glad you came." Darunia let out a big smile as he led the way into the city. There was loud, lively music playing and everyone was dancing.

"This is quite a party," Zelda commented as she snaked her way past the crowd.

Darunia nodded. "There's nothing like a Goron party, you know? We really know how to have fun!"

"You got that right," Link muttered, surprised no one had yet had crashed and broken anything. He followed closely behind and took a seat in a chair that had been provided. Zelda and Darunia were still talking.

"Your friend there," Darunia whispered to the princess. "He's an odd one. Judging by his clothing, he's a forest dweller."

"That's correct," Zelda replied. "His name is Link."

"Link, eh? I never knew forest folk could actually leave the forest."

Zelda giggled. "Link's a strange case."

"He sure is," the Goron boss agreed.

Link looked over to the band that was playing. They were a five-piece ensemble complete with guitars and drums. There was even a singer whose stage presence was electrifying.

"You seem to be enjoying the music, Link," Darunia pointed out as he stood next to the boy.

Link nodded. "They're pretty good. I especially like the flute player."

"Do you play yourself?"

"Just the ocarina."

"Very well then. You should go up there and play."

Link shook his head. "I don't know."

"Oh nonsense. I won't take no for an answer."

Link rolled his eyes, knowing that this was going to happen. It was just like all those years ago. He had met Darunia in the past with a song. It hadn't changed now.

Darunia snapped his fingers, and instantly the music ceased. It seemed all time had stopped. "I have a special announcement to make. We have another musician in the house. Please welcome, a personal friend of the Princess Zelda, Link."

The crowd erupted into applause, and Link was thrown to the stage. Holding his ocarina in his hand, he slowly bowed.

"What key, sir?" a Goron asked.

"Key of C, on my mark. Four beats per measure."

Link lifted the instrument to his mouth and started playing a rather mellowing tune. He was making it up on the spot, trying to hide the real song he had intended to play. After completing 3 bars, he nodded to the drummer, and the up-beat tune of Saria's Song began to play. Shortly afterwards, the entire band joined in.

"Haha! Now that's what I call a hot beat!" Darunia screamed as he hopped off his seat. He made his way to the middle of the dance floor and shook his groove-thang like he was on fire.

"Oh! Oh-oh! C'mon with the force don't stop! Don't stop till ya get enough! YAHOO!"

Zelda smiled as she watched the commotion around her. It was amazing! Everyone seemed to be swept up in the song.

It soon ended as Link's lungs couldn't hold out. He was met with a rousing applause and a hard slap on the back from the band. Link nearly fell over, but luckily found his way back to his seat. He was breathing hard.

"That was great, Link," Darunia said. "You must come by more often and play."

Link just simply smiled.

"That was wonderful," Zelda beamed as she sat by him.

"Thank you, but I think I'm done playing for now. Hey, do you want to get some fresh air?"

"Sure."

Link led Zelda outside, and it was already dark. The white smoke made the sky difficult to see, but it added a mysterious and mystical aura to the surrounding. Link rested his hand on a rail as he looked over the cliff. Zelda was beside him, her hand gripped tightly to the wooden flag pole.

"I just wanted to say how you pretty you look tonight," Link started out. In all honesty, he didn't know what to say, and he didn't know why he invited Zelda out to the cliff with him. He just wanted somewhere to sit and cool down.

Zelda smiled as she turned her head to hide her blush.

Then there was silence.

Link kept his gaze on the horizon; he was easily able to pick out the lustrous Hyrule Castle and the vast expanse that was Hyrule Field. Then his eye caught something.

Hey all! Can you believe I almost forgot that today was my update day? This week has gone by so fast.

Once again, I'd like to thank you all for reading. My cousin is waiting outside my door so we can go play tennis. So I better get going. It's funny though, I don't play tennis. Don't they have any basketball courts in San Diego for crying out loud?

Rock out, party hard, live hardcore