Chapter 7
"Gator said you're looking for me," Navi said as she landed on Link's shoulder.
Link nodded silently, watching Mido yell at one of the Know-It-All Brothers in the distance.
"I need your help," he stated finally.
Navi shook her head. "I already told you. He isn't possessed. And neither is Fado."
"I know that," Link moaned, actually preferring the idea of their behavior being someone else's fault. "That's not why I asked for you."
The fairy raised a tiny eyebrow. "What do you want me to do?"
Link turned his gaze into the Lost Woods.
"It all started when they entered the forbidden ruins. You said Mido made a deal with a demon, didn't you?"
"That's what I theorized based upon what I felt, but-"
Discerning Link's intent, Navi jumped off his shoulder, planted her feet firmly on the ground, and shouted, "No chance! I refuse to go into the forbidden ruins!"
Link exhaled, disappointment apparent in his demeanor. "I had hoped you would have at least considered my idea."
Link began walking away. Navi flew after him.
"What's there to consider?" Navi asked. "Mido and Fado are acting out by their own will. Even if I was willing to disobey the Great Deku Tree, there would be no point!"
Link knelt next to a bush and uncovered at its root the sword the skeleton knight had given him.
"The one who gave me this sword said I should make sure no weeds threaten my garden."
Link swung the blade experimentally.
"A weed is growing in the forbidden ruins, and it has corrupted Mido and Fado. I will not allow it to corrupt anyone else."
Pursing her lips, Navi cast an apologetic glance in the direction of the Great Deku Tree.
"Well, if you put it that way..."
Link began to climb the broken stairs into the castle.
Navi flew in and out of the doorway nervously.
"Are you sure about this? The sun is setting. No one knows we're out here. Except maybe the Know-It-All Brothers. But they wouldn't be able to help us in time if- Well, if something bad happens. What if you get corrupted, too? What if I get imprisoned by the force that tried to trap me when I went inside Mido? What if you get killed?!"
Link dusted his knees off as he stood at the top of the stairs.
"Then we'll deal with that then. But I assure you, I won't allow myself to be corrupted."
Navi whimpered, "What if that's what Mido said?"
Link hesitated, looked back towards Kokiri Forest, then shook his head.
"What if defeating the demon will free Mido and Fado from its spell? What if we do nothing and more kokiri get corrupted? What then?"
Navi stopped her pacing. "You're right. I'm sorry for being so discouraging. Whoever has done this needs to be stopped. I'm with you all the way."
"I'm counting on it," Link answered as he stepped into the shadow.
Navi flew farther into the giant foyer, using the glow of her own body to light the way. She called back to the boy, "It appears there are at least three doors to choose from. Do you want to take the center path first? It seems the most official."
Link shrugged. "Sure."
The fairy's fingers twitched. "You don't have to be so nonchalant about it."
"It makes no difference," Link responded. "Any of these doors could lead the right way."
They took the center path. Walking down a long hall, Link peered into every dark doorway along its length.
"Do you think we might find the ghost from that night?"
"I hope so," Navi replied. "We could use his help."
Link squeezed the hilt of his sword.
"What if he's the demon?"
Navi stopped. With a shrug, she answered, "Then we'll deal with that then."
At the end of the hall, two great doors swung open. Link and Navi braced themselves. A single red light pierced the blackness. Its bouncing movement was accompanied by the jangling of armor and bones.
Navi shouted, "Identify yourself!"
"Me?" an unfamiliar voice rasped. A second red light appeared next to the first.
"I am a resident of this castle. You are not. The king of trees has forbidden fairies from intruding here. Yet you are here. Kokiri brats should be in their home trees at this hour. Yet you are not. Who are you two?"
Link raised his sword. "I am one who would fight for a friend's freedom."
The skeleton chuckled dryly. "And what friend would you be referring to? What freedom do you claim was taken?"
"Don't play games with us!" Navi yelled. "What have you done to Mido and Fado?!"
"I?" the skeleton asked in a taunting manner. "I have done nothing to them. Here's a better question: What have they done to themselves?"
Recognizing the reference, Link demanded, "Tell me what you know about the skeleton I spoke to a week ago!"
"Him? We put him where he belongs," came the reply.
"In the ground."
With a snarl, Link closed the distance between him and the antagonist. Navi made haste to catch up. Sparks were already flying by the time her light made clear the situation.
The skeleton was easily blocking Link's attacks with his shield. Shield, shoulder pads, and helmet alike were made of dark metal rimmed with red paint. The enemy's sword was completely red, and heavy blue gauntlets and boots protected his forearms and lower legs.
The skeleton pretended to yawn as Link tried again and again to break through his defenses. Navi stoked her courage and dove into the skull of the bony foe. The enemy cradled his head and fell to his knees. Taking the opportunity, Link decapitated him.
The body instantly fell apart. Navi emerged from the ruin unscathed. Link stepped over the pile and rolled the skull over with one foot.
Its eyes were no longer glowing.
Link sighed with relief. "I hope that finished it."
Navi frowned and said, "I wouldn't say our business here is finished quite yet. He said 'we.' That means he wasn't working alone."
Link began to continue forward, but Navi hovered in his way. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To find those others," Link said plainly, a little puzzled by Navi's behavior.
"Not without a shield!" Navi commanded. "That guy could have taken your head off fifteen times!"
"He could have, couldn't he?" Link pondered as he wrapped his fingers around the rim of the skeleton's shield.
With great effort, Link hauled the giant disc up. He immediately put it back down on the ground.
"I can't carry that in battle. I can hardly carry it now."
Navi thought about the problem.
"Then we'll just have to find a different shield. I've heard that the bark of the Great Deku Tree is strong and lightweight."
Trying on the helmet, Link shook his head. The helmet spun loosely.
"But then we'll have to tell the Great Deku Tree that we came here. And that we intend to come here again."
"Honestly," Navi said, "He probably already knows we're here. He can see anywhere in the forest."
"If he can see anywhere," Link wondered, "Why hasn't he done anything about Mido and Fado? Surely he's seen how they've been acting."
"I don't know," Navi admitted. "This whole situation is just so strange."
Link sat down on the ground and stared at the lifeless skull.
"Do you think he told the truth?" Link asked, gesturing at the bones. "Do you think they killed the good skeleton warrior?"
"For the hundredth time," Navi sighed, "I don't know."
