Chapter Six: Blood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Link: OracleVortex wishes that she owned even just a little part of the
Legends of Zelda, but she doesn't.
Sheik: That'd be cool though. You really get beat up in this chapter, don't
ya?
Link: Shh! The reader is.reading!
Sheik: Whupps.
Gore! There is mild gore in this one! Yaoi warning, again! There's more of that, as well! Greatness! Lotsa greatness! Whee!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What is this?" The giant Goron boomed, hands on wide hips. "Children? The King of Hyrule thinks so less of me that he sends children?"
In unison, Shaya and Sheik bowed, a fist over their hearts in respect. "His Highness means no offence, Darunia." Sheik said smoothly. "Begging your pardon, but in Hyrule, we are considered to be of age."
Darunia guffawed, looking at the gathered four youths in disbelief. "You? You are but tiny sprites." He peered at them. "Surely you must be joking."
Shaya shook her head. "I assure you, we are not."
Darunia grunted, settling into his throne with a heavy thump. "Such small messengers of the King, in such dangerous times. If you were to be attacked, you would not survive." He waved a hand at them. "Tell me; what is your business here?"
As Shaya prepared to speak, Navi stepped forward, blank eyes calculated. "The King sends his greetings, and wishes for strength and prosperity to never leave your person and people." She paused for effect, and Darunia nodded her on. "His Royal Highness bids that we deliver the Spiritual Stone of Fire unto him so that it may not suffer the same fate as the Kokiri Emerald."
Darunia frowned. "What has happened with the forest folk?"
Link gave a barely restrained-tortured answer. "Ganon, King of the Gerudos, stole the jewel and said he would claim the other two. In doing this, he said he would dominate the land."
"Ah.I see." Darunia murmured. "Terrible things." He straightened in his chair. "But how can I give you the Goron's Ruby?" He eyed Link and Navi, who were both dressed in the manner of the Kokiri. "The forest folk have lost one relic. What's to say that they won't do it again?"
Link bristled at this comment, and Shaya shot a sharp warning glance at him. "I assure you, the Kokiri were taken by surprise. They had no warning."
"They shouldn't have needed it."
Sheik ignored this and continued where his sister left off. "No one knows the true meaning of our presence. We have been as discreet as possible, and shall do so until our quest is over." He flexed his hands. "Do not worry that we cannot fight.each of us is capable in combat in our own ways."
Darunia grunted. "To each their own? Well, if you think that you are so.skilled." He reached into a clay pot near him. "Go to the Cave of the Dodongo. Bring me the heart of a full grown Dodongo and then I shall consider releasing the Ruby to you." He tossed a small pouch to Sheik, who caught it in one hand. "Take this. Without it, you cannot possibly defeat anything on my lands."
Sheik opened the pouch. Inside were two glittering bracelets, each inscribed with the symbol of the Gorons. "Thank you Darunia."
"I would give you four, but only two were made. Do not lose them."
They left the room with deep bows, filing out into the corridor. Navi and Shaya didn't take a bracelet, saying they had other means of defending themselves. Link was sure that Sheik's sister had some sort of weapon, but Navi had only shown him her ability to drift like smoke. Sheik slipped his on with no more than a glimpse, but Link stopped to examine it. It was an inch and a half wide, and a centimetre thick of solid gold. The symbol of the Gorons was a large ruby, untainted and pure. The craftsmanship was exquisite and the hammered embroidery was beyond compare. Link put it on, satisfied that it did no more than shift around his wrist.
"Come on Link." Shaya called, waving at him to follow. Link caught up easily, and the four of them delved deeper into the mountain. There was an open road to the cave of the Dodongos, but it was much quicker to take the route through the city tunnels. Strangely enough, the closer that they came to the cavern, the cooler it became. Link could heard water dripping in the distance, and the tunnel became increasingly more damp. He shivered.
"Here." Navi said lowly, peering carefully into a large space. "The nesting place of the Dodongos is in here."
"How can you be so sure?" Link asked quietly. Navi didn't answer, and instead crept in.
"Be careful." Shaya warned lowly. "They are able to sense emotions; pain and anger in particular. When we start attacking, then they will all go haywire."
"Perhaps we should proceed to a less crowded chamber?" Navi suggested, edging around the wall of the cave. The rest followed, ducking into a smaller cave. This continued until they came to a space occupied by only two dodongos. The rest had at least four or more.
"What are we going to do, exactly?" Link asked, trying to contain rising wells of panic.
Sheik shrugged. "Just stay out of the way of its blood." They went in cautiously, circling around to the rear of the larger one. "Go!" He hissed.
Shaya pulled a twin set of daggers into view, cutting at his haunches. The dodongo shrieked, and twirled. Navi faded off to one side, and Sheik jumped over the tail. Link scrambled backwards, thrusting into the beat's side with his spear. It stuck and Link pulled, sending the weapon flying across the room. A wound opened and sprayed a thin line of blood.
Link gasped aloud as drops of blood landed on his bare arms. The places where it touched blazed and sizzled, the flesh burning away. He stumbled away from the screeching Dodongo, tripping over its thrashing tail. He knocked into another of the great creatures, and was pushed back the way he had come. Reaching out to brace himself, his palm came down hard into the other's wound. A pain unlike anything that Link had ever experienced in his life then came upon him. He pulled his hand back, not looking at it for fear of what he would see. "Sheik!" He cried, knees giving out on him.
"Link-stay where you are!" Link could see the young Sheikah bounding across the chamber, his sister at his side. Shaya dodged the giant, injured dodongo, and slashed at its eyes with her dagger. It roared, sending out a wave of fire that she barely ducked under.
Sheik pulled Link to his feet, ignoring the drops of blood flying around. He pulled Link into a notch in the wall, half supporting him with his own weight. Shaya crowded in with Navi, who was faintly glowing blue. With a delicate touch Sheik turned over Link's hand by the wrist.
"Ah!" Link yelled. The two dodongos outside the crevasse stopped, listening for the cry again.
Sheik paused. "You have to be absolutely silent. Can you do that for me?"
Link whimpered as Sheik moved again, shaking his head. "Farore's Wind." He forced out.
"I think I can take the larger one out." Shaya muttered, shifting into a more comfortable position. "But I'll need to take him by surprise."
"I can distract him." Navi said softly.
"Do it." Sheik said. Navi skipped out of the nook, dancing out in front of the two creatures. Shaya ghosted after her, going around their back. Sheik and Link were left in the narrow space together. "Link.this is really going to hurt." He suddenly gripped Link's injury tightly, a pink glow rising.
Link screamed, pushing back against the damp stone-wall. In the chamber outside the dodongos turned to the noise. Navi whistled and called to them, but they were already distracted. Shaya took this time to jump on the back of the larger one, dagger slicing into its skin. "Sheik! Keep him quiet!" The smaller creature hesitated, caught between the two screeches of pain.
Link thrashed unintentionally, letting out another yell. Sheik hastily tried to subside Link's howls, all too aware that the other dodongo was creeping over to the entrance of the nook. "Link! It's almost.I'm.stop, I can't-" Sheik glanced behind him in alarm, then to the wriggling Hylian. "Link, dammit!" Having run out of options, he leaned forward abruptly and silenced the youth. He closed his mouth over Link's, swallowing stinging shouts in a kiss. Gaze riveted on Sheik's, a single tear fell from blue eyes as the pink glow in the cleft intensified and flickered, and then finally dulled. Sheik pulled away slowly and Link collapsed into his arms.
"Farore's Wind." He said faintly.
"Sheik!"
"By the Eye!" Sheik was on his feet, heading out the crevasse. He paused. "Link."
"I'm.coming." He followed Sheik out, pressing several small orbs into his hand. "Here."
"What's this?"
Link shrugged. "They were in there."
"Sheik!" Shaya cried again. Bursting out into the open, Sheik shoved several of the small balls into the smaller dodongo's mouth, and dashed past him. Link stumbled as he passed, startled by the explosion coming from somewhere inside the dodongo. The oversized lizard foundered, falling to the ground dead without another sound. A thin trail of blood trickled to the floor, making a deep ridge in the stone.
Navi danced in front of the other one, splatters of blood sizzling on her blue aura. Shaya had cut a thick line down the creature's side, and now jumped out of the way of the tail. As the beast open his mouth to howl at them with fire, Sheik and Link tossed in their small bombs, jumping out of the way as the dodongo swallowed. As it had been with the other, something rumbled within and exploded. The creature whined and fell to one side, large amber eyes drifting mercifully shut.
Navi stepped forward, one of Shaya's daggers in hand. She slit the dodongo's belly, not even flinching when a pool of blood flowed to her. Navi's aura repelled it, and she reached in with one arm, soon sending the other after it. With a twist and a squelching wrench, she retreated, the beast's heart in hand. Link had to turn away as she dumped it in the pouch that once contained the Goron bracelets. He mentally calmed a jumping stomach, retrieving his discarded spear.
"Let's get out of here." Shaya said quietly, taking back her dagger that was mysteriously clean after Navi's care. Link made to follow, not glancing back at the messy scene. He was suddenly sad that such a beast had to be killed.
"All right there?" Sheik murmured.
"Fine." Link said appreciatively. "Thank you."
"It was nothing."
~*~*~*~
Darunia caught Sheik and Link up in a giant hug, and regarded Shaya and Navi with a respectful bow. "Never did I dream that you would come back with the heart of the Great Dodongo leader! There is no doubt that I shall give you the Goron's Ruby; the jewel that strengthens the body!" He clapped Link on the back, sending him spilling to the ground. "In fact, I would be proud and honoured to call you all my kinsmen!" Darunia laughed. "Brothers and Sisters, you have impressed me indeed!"
Sheik accepted the Ruby, putting it into a pocket so quickly that it was simply gone. He bowed to Darunia, as did Link, Shaya and Navi. "Thank you," Sheik said, "For this, the land may have been saved."
Darunia grinned widely. "I welcome you back to my lands, again, Brother. Tell the King that I send my greetings and so forth." He waved a hand. "You'll know what to say."
"As you wish, Darunia."
The Goron leader crossed his arms suddenly. "Before you leave this place, I suggest that you visit the Great Faerie at the top of this mountain." He tilted his head to one side. "She may be able to offer you things that normally others cannot."
Shaya nodded. "Thank you again."
~*~*~*~
Link leaned his cheek against the cool, reassuring surface of the wall. I despise this mountain.why does it have to be so big? Since there were no tunnels to the top of the mountain, the four heroes had to, once more, brave the elements and climb the rocky paths to the top. Couldn't the Great Faerie live a little closer to the ground? Currently, Link was resting momentarily as Navi discerned the correct path up the rock wall. The rest was a blessing to Link, who was not used to such physical exertion for extended periods of time. He flexed his hand absently, recalling the tiring events of the day. His limb was as good as new, though he could still feel the aftershock of such an injury. Sheik had reassured him that it would eventually fade away. Sheik. Goddesses.
"I believe that we can follow the ledge over there." Navi indicated a narrow path five feet away from them. "That should lead to Her shrine."
"All right." Sheik had been perching on a small shard of out-thrust rock. Now he moved quickly, instinctively finding hidden handholds. Likewise, Shaya was ahead of him, already pulling herself onto the path that Navi had found.
Link clawed about, weakly trying to pretend that it was the same as climbing a tree. The only difference was that you could only climb on one side, and if you fell.there was nothing to break your fall. By Farore's Wind. Link shifted his weight and reached for the next handhold. His foot slipped, and Link let out a yelp as he suddenly dropped.
"Link!" Navi said sharply. Sheik and Shaya looked down.
"Farore's Wind." Link said distantly. His pack, the leather strap quite long and sturdy, had snagged on a jutted slab of rock, leaving Link to dangle. He gripped the wall with a panicked strength, and heaved himself onto the small ledge.
"Are you all right?" Shaya called out.
Link reached where everyone else was on the narrow path, and was pulled up by two pairs of hands. "Yeah." He stood, and Sheik steadied him.
"Are you sure?" He asked, one hand grasping his shoulder and the other pausing at his waist.
Link wordlessly nodded, fingers wrapping around Sheik's wrist. He could feel the pulse hammering, there, faster than it usually would have been. "Yes." He abruptly heard his own heartbeat; it was pounding in his ears, and it was fast as well. "Thanks."
Sheik flashed a quick, small, smile and turned to start up the trail, where Navi and Shaya had already gone. His hand lingered on Link's shoulder, dragging softly down his chest. Link shuddered, a pleasant tingle running down his spine. He followed Sheik.
They found a cave at the end of the path, and inside was a large marble pool. The walls shimmered and glowed, reaching up until you couldn't tell if it kept going or simply ended somewhere. There was a path that led to a small square, inscribed with symbols and pictures.
"'Thou who art injured and ill, kneel here and call to me.Thou who seek my help, stand and do the same.'" Navi read.
They all stood on the square. "Great Faerie." Navi and Sheik murmured. "We seek thee."
The water in the pool rippled and glittered. Out of the liquid, a tall, slim form rose, clothed in a robe of leaves and ivy. Pale pink hair was swept back by a tiara of roses, and wide pink eyes peered at the four in the chamber. "Thou called and I have come.pray tell, fair travelers, what dost ail thee?"
Navi pressed her palms together, eyes lowered before the divinity. "Great Faerie of the Mountain of Lava.we need no healing, but ask for a small assistance in our quest. The ruler of the people below you did say that we might find help from you."
The Great Faerie smiled gently at Navi. "Thou art one of my order.strange that thou art in a body of the Green Lady's creation." She waved a hand gracefully. "But that is of no distress.it was Fate that this is such." She walked across the water to step down in front of them. "In light of thy tasks that have been placed before thee by the Lady of Ages, I grant thee each a gift of thy own." She looked to Navi. "Thou hast already obtained knowledge of thy gift." Navi nodded and the Great Faerie moved on to Shaya. "When thou hast found that the tides are against thee, look to the heavens and summon thy will. Evil shall vanish as thou dost prevail."
Shaya bowed deeply and the Great Faerie continued on to Sheik. "Thou hast returned to my chamber again, Sheik of the Sheikah."
"Yes, my lady."
"Thou hast been a most dedicated student of my art." She touched Sheik's forehead lightly. "There is nothing more that I can teach thee. If thy power is to increase, it will do so under thy own tutelage. It has now come to pass that thou must master thy strength. " She glanced at Link. "If not for thyself, then for others."
"As you say, my lady."
The faerie then turned to Link. "Thy gift cannot be granted to thee at this time, young hero. Thy fate is a difficult one, and can only be further complicated. Thou shall have to make due with the companionship of thy friends. When the time is right, my gift shall come unto thee and thou shall be stronger than ever." She gazed at the young man. "Though it is no falsehood that thou needst no healing, I can see the fissure that doth exists in thy heart. Do not be saddened that thy world is changing. Be glad that thou hast the privilege of a chance to see much in thy short lifetime."
"If you say so, my lady." Link muttered, examining his shoes.
"Events shall happen, things shall change, and thou shall experience much that thou shall wish thy hadn't. Pain, fear, suffering and dismay... Look at these only briefly, and focus upon hope.strength.and love." She glanced at everyone. "This doth apply to all of thee."
There was a hushed chorus, "Yes, my lady."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apologies for delay. Darn the schoolwork. Darn the difficult people I know. __ Damn the stupid computer erasing everything! RWAR! ::Gnashes at the air:: But summer is here, and I'm going to start updating!
You: FINALLY!
Me: ^__^;; Also, I invite everyone to come and visit me at my fictionpress.net account and read poems written by me. Ever since the site split into two, no one seems to visit anymore. :( Come and see me once and a while! I welcome visitors! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gore! There is mild gore in this one! Yaoi warning, again! There's more of that, as well! Greatness! Lotsa greatness! Whee!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What is this?" The giant Goron boomed, hands on wide hips. "Children? The King of Hyrule thinks so less of me that he sends children?"
In unison, Shaya and Sheik bowed, a fist over their hearts in respect. "His Highness means no offence, Darunia." Sheik said smoothly. "Begging your pardon, but in Hyrule, we are considered to be of age."
Darunia guffawed, looking at the gathered four youths in disbelief. "You? You are but tiny sprites." He peered at them. "Surely you must be joking."
Shaya shook her head. "I assure you, we are not."
Darunia grunted, settling into his throne with a heavy thump. "Such small messengers of the King, in such dangerous times. If you were to be attacked, you would not survive." He waved a hand at them. "Tell me; what is your business here?"
As Shaya prepared to speak, Navi stepped forward, blank eyes calculated. "The King sends his greetings, and wishes for strength and prosperity to never leave your person and people." She paused for effect, and Darunia nodded her on. "His Royal Highness bids that we deliver the Spiritual Stone of Fire unto him so that it may not suffer the same fate as the Kokiri Emerald."
Darunia frowned. "What has happened with the forest folk?"
Link gave a barely restrained-tortured answer. "Ganon, King of the Gerudos, stole the jewel and said he would claim the other two. In doing this, he said he would dominate the land."
"Ah.I see." Darunia murmured. "Terrible things." He straightened in his chair. "But how can I give you the Goron's Ruby?" He eyed Link and Navi, who were both dressed in the manner of the Kokiri. "The forest folk have lost one relic. What's to say that they won't do it again?"
Link bristled at this comment, and Shaya shot a sharp warning glance at him. "I assure you, the Kokiri were taken by surprise. They had no warning."
"They shouldn't have needed it."
Sheik ignored this and continued where his sister left off. "No one knows the true meaning of our presence. We have been as discreet as possible, and shall do so until our quest is over." He flexed his hands. "Do not worry that we cannot fight.each of us is capable in combat in our own ways."
Darunia grunted. "To each their own? Well, if you think that you are so.skilled." He reached into a clay pot near him. "Go to the Cave of the Dodongo. Bring me the heart of a full grown Dodongo and then I shall consider releasing the Ruby to you." He tossed a small pouch to Sheik, who caught it in one hand. "Take this. Without it, you cannot possibly defeat anything on my lands."
Sheik opened the pouch. Inside were two glittering bracelets, each inscribed with the symbol of the Gorons. "Thank you Darunia."
"I would give you four, but only two were made. Do not lose them."
They left the room with deep bows, filing out into the corridor. Navi and Shaya didn't take a bracelet, saying they had other means of defending themselves. Link was sure that Sheik's sister had some sort of weapon, but Navi had only shown him her ability to drift like smoke. Sheik slipped his on with no more than a glimpse, but Link stopped to examine it. It was an inch and a half wide, and a centimetre thick of solid gold. The symbol of the Gorons was a large ruby, untainted and pure. The craftsmanship was exquisite and the hammered embroidery was beyond compare. Link put it on, satisfied that it did no more than shift around his wrist.
"Come on Link." Shaya called, waving at him to follow. Link caught up easily, and the four of them delved deeper into the mountain. There was an open road to the cave of the Dodongos, but it was much quicker to take the route through the city tunnels. Strangely enough, the closer that they came to the cavern, the cooler it became. Link could heard water dripping in the distance, and the tunnel became increasingly more damp. He shivered.
"Here." Navi said lowly, peering carefully into a large space. "The nesting place of the Dodongos is in here."
"How can you be so sure?" Link asked quietly. Navi didn't answer, and instead crept in.
"Be careful." Shaya warned lowly. "They are able to sense emotions; pain and anger in particular. When we start attacking, then they will all go haywire."
"Perhaps we should proceed to a less crowded chamber?" Navi suggested, edging around the wall of the cave. The rest followed, ducking into a smaller cave. This continued until they came to a space occupied by only two dodongos. The rest had at least four or more.
"What are we going to do, exactly?" Link asked, trying to contain rising wells of panic.
Sheik shrugged. "Just stay out of the way of its blood." They went in cautiously, circling around to the rear of the larger one. "Go!" He hissed.
Shaya pulled a twin set of daggers into view, cutting at his haunches. The dodongo shrieked, and twirled. Navi faded off to one side, and Sheik jumped over the tail. Link scrambled backwards, thrusting into the beat's side with his spear. It stuck and Link pulled, sending the weapon flying across the room. A wound opened and sprayed a thin line of blood.
Link gasped aloud as drops of blood landed on his bare arms. The places where it touched blazed and sizzled, the flesh burning away. He stumbled away from the screeching Dodongo, tripping over its thrashing tail. He knocked into another of the great creatures, and was pushed back the way he had come. Reaching out to brace himself, his palm came down hard into the other's wound. A pain unlike anything that Link had ever experienced in his life then came upon him. He pulled his hand back, not looking at it for fear of what he would see. "Sheik!" He cried, knees giving out on him.
"Link-stay where you are!" Link could see the young Sheikah bounding across the chamber, his sister at his side. Shaya dodged the giant, injured dodongo, and slashed at its eyes with her dagger. It roared, sending out a wave of fire that she barely ducked under.
Sheik pulled Link to his feet, ignoring the drops of blood flying around. He pulled Link into a notch in the wall, half supporting him with his own weight. Shaya crowded in with Navi, who was faintly glowing blue. With a delicate touch Sheik turned over Link's hand by the wrist.
"Ah!" Link yelled. The two dodongos outside the crevasse stopped, listening for the cry again.
Sheik paused. "You have to be absolutely silent. Can you do that for me?"
Link whimpered as Sheik moved again, shaking his head. "Farore's Wind." He forced out.
"I think I can take the larger one out." Shaya muttered, shifting into a more comfortable position. "But I'll need to take him by surprise."
"I can distract him." Navi said softly.
"Do it." Sheik said. Navi skipped out of the nook, dancing out in front of the two creatures. Shaya ghosted after her, going around their back. Sheik and Link were left in the narrow space together. "Link.this is really going to hurt." He suddenly gripped Link's injury tightly, a pink glow rising.
Link screamed, pushing back against the damp stone-wall. In the chamber outside the dodongos turned to the noise. Navi whistled and called to them, but they were already distracted. Shaya took this time to jump on the back of the larger one, dagger slicing into its skin. "Sheik! Keep him quiet!" The smaller creature hesitated, caught between the two screeches of pain.
Link thrashed unintentionally, letting out another yell. Sheik hastily tried to subside Link's howls, all too aware that the other dodongo was creeping over to the entrance of the nook. "Link! It's almost.I'm.stop, I can't-" Sheik glanced behind him in alarm, then to the wriggling Hylian. "Link, dammit!" Having run out of options, he leaned forward abruptly and silenced the youth. He closed his mouth over Link's, swallowing stinging shouts in a kiss. Gaze riveted on Sheik's, a single tear fell from blue eyes as the pink glow in the cleft intensified and flickered, and then finally dulled. Sheik pulled away slowly and Link collapsed into his arms.
"Farore's Wind." He said faintly.
"Sheik!"
"By the Eye!" Sheik was on his feet, heading out the crevasse. He paused. "Link."
"I'm.coming." He followed Sheik out, pressing several small orbs into his hand. "Here."
"What's this?"
Link shrugged. "They were in there."
"Sheik!" Shaya cried again. Bursting out into the open, Sheik shoved several of the small balls into the smaller dodongo's mouth, and dashed past him. Link stumbled as he passed, startled by the explosion coming from somewhere inside the dodongo. The oversized lizard foundered, falling to the ground dead without another sound. A thin trail of blood trickled to the floor, making a deep ridge in the stone.
Navi danced in front of the other one, splatters of blood sizzling on her blue aura. Shaya had cut a thick line down the creature's side, and now jumped out of the way of the tail. As the beast open his mouth to howl at them with fire, Sheik and Link tossed in their small bombs, jumping out of the way as the dodongo swallowed. As it had been with the other, something rumbled within and exploded. The creature whined and fell to one side, large amber eyes drifting mercifully shut.
Navi stepped forward, one of Shaya's daggers in hand. She slit the dodongo's belly, not even flinching when a pool of blood flowed to her. Navi's aura repelled it, and she reached in with one arm, soon sending the other after it. With a twist and a squelching wrench, she retreated, the beast's heart in hand. Link had to turn away as she dumped it in the pouch that once contained the Goron bracelets. He mentally calmed a jumping stomach, retrieving his discarded spear.
"Let's get out of here." Shaya said quietly, taking back her dagger that was mysteriously clean after Navi's care. Link made to follow, not glancing back at the messy scene. He was suddenly sad that such a beast had to be killed.
"All right there?" Sheik murmured.
"Fine." Link said appreciatively. "Thank you."
"It was nothing."
~*~*~*~
Darunia caught Sheik and Link up in a giant hug, and regarded Shaya and Navi with a respectful bow. "Never did I dream that you would come back with the heart of the Great Dodongo leader! There is no doubt that I shall give you the Goron's Ruby; the jewel that strengthens the body!" He clapped Link on the back, sending him spilling to the ground. "In fact, I would be proud and honoured to call you all my kinsmen!" Darunia laughed. "Brothers and Sisters, you have impressed me indeed!"
Sheik accepted the Ruby, putting it into a pocket so quickly that it was simply gone. He bowed to Darunia, as did Link, Shaya and Navi. "Thank you," Sheik said, "For this, the land may have been saved."
Darunia grinned widely. "I welcome you back to my lands, again, Brother. Tell the King that I send my greetings and so forth." He waved a hand. "You'll know what to say."
"As you wish, Darunia."
The Goron leader crossed his arms suddenly. "Before you leave this place, I suggest that you visit the Great Faerie at the top of this mountain." He tilted his head to one side. "She may be able to offer you things that normally others cannot."
Shaya nodded. "Thank you again."
~*~*~*~
Link leaned his cheek against the cool, reassuring surface of the wall. I despise this mountain.why does it have to be so big? Since there were no tunnels to the top of the mountain, the four heroes had to, once more, brave the elements and climb the rocky paths to the top. Couldn't the Great Faerie live a little closer to the ground? Currently, Link was resting momentarily as Navi discerned the correct path up the rock wall. The rest was a blessing to Link, who was not used to such physical exertion for extended periods of time. He flexed his hand absently, recalling the tiring events of the day. His limb was as good as new, though he could still feel the aftershock of such an injury. Sheik had reassured him that it would eventually fade away. Sheik. Goddesses.
"I believe that we can follow the ledge over there." Navi indicated a narrow path five feet away from them. "That should lead to Her shrine."
"All right." Sheik had been perching on a small shard of out-thrust rock. Now he moved quickly, instinctively finding hidden handholds. Likewise, Shaya was ahead of him, already pulling herself onto the path that Navi had found.
Link clawed about, weakly trying to pretend that it was the same as climbing a tree. The only difference was that you could only climb on one side, and if you fell.there was nothing to break your fall. By Farore's Wind. Link shifted his weight and reached for the next handhold. His foot slipped, and Link let out a yelp as he suddenly dropped.
"Link!" Navi said sharply. Sheik and Shaya looked down.
"Farore's Wind." Link said distantly. His pack, the leather strap quite long and sturdy, had snagged on a jutted slab of rock, leaving Link to dangle. He gripped the wall with a panicked strength, and heaved himself onto the small ledge.
"Are you all right?" Shaya called out.
Link reached where everyone else was on the narrow path, and was pulled up by two pairs of hands. "Yeah." He stood, and Sheik steadied him.
"Are you sure?" He asked, one hand grasping his shoulder and the other pausing at his waist.
Link wordlessly nodded, fingers wrapping around Sheik's wrist. He could feel the pulse hammering, there, faster than it usually would have been. "Yes." He abruptly heard his own heartbeat; it was pounding in his ears, and it was fast as well. "Thanks."
Sheik flashed a quick, small, smile and turned to start up the trail, where Navi and Shaya had already gone. His hand lingered on Link's shoulder, dragging softly down his chest. Link shuddered, a pleasant tingle running down his spine. He followed Sheik.
They found a cave at the end of the path, and inside was a large marble pool. The walls shimmered and glowed, reaching up until you couldn't tell if it kept going or simply ended somewhere. There was a path that led to a small square, inscribed with symbols and pictures.
"'Thou who art injured and ill, kneel here and call to me.Thou who seek my help, stand and do the same.'" Navi read.
They all stood on the square. "Great Faerie." Navi and Sheik murmured. "We seek thee."
The water in the pool rippled and glittered. Out of the liquid, a tall, slim form rose, clothed in a robe of leaves and ivy. Pale pink hair was swept back by a tiara of roses, and wide pink eyes peered at the four in the chamber. "Thou called and I have come.pray tell, fair travelers, what dost ail thee?"
Navi pressed her palms together, eyes lowered before the divinity. "Great Faerie of the Mountain of Lava.we need no healing, but ask for a small assistance in our quest. The ruler of the people below you did say that we might find help from you."
The Great Faerie smiled gently at Navi. "Thou art one of my order.strange that thou art in a body of the Green Lady's creation." She waved a hand gracefully. "But that is of no distress.it was Fate that this is such." She walked across the water to step down in front of them. "In light of thy tasks that have been placed before thee by the Lady of Ages, I grant thee each a gift of thy own." She looked to Navi. "Thou hast already obtained knowledge of thy gift." Navi nodded and the Great Faerie moved on to Shaya. "When thou hast found that the tides are against thee, look to the heavens and summon thy will. Evil shall vanish as thou dost prevail."
Shaya bowed deeply and the Great Faerie continued on to Sheik. "Thou hast returned to my chamber again, Sheik of the Sheikah."
"Yes, my lady."
"Thou hast been a most dedicated student of my art." She touched Sheik's forehead lightly. "There is nothing more that I can teach thee. If thy power is to increase, it will do so under thy own tutelage. It has now come to pass that thou must master thy strength. " She glanced at Link. "If not for thyself, then for others."
"As you say, my lady."
The faerie then turned to Link. "Thy gift cannot be granted to thee at this time, young hero. Thy fate is a difficult one, and can only be further complicated. Thou shall have to make due with the companionship of thy friends. When the time is right, my gift shall come unto thee and thou shall be stronger than ever." She gazed at the young man. "Though it is no falsehood that thou needst no healing, I can see the fissure that doth exists in thy heart. Do not be saddened that thy world is changing. Be glad that thou hast the privilege of a chance to see much in thy short lifetime."
"If you say so, my lady." Link muttered, examining his shoes.
"Events shall happen, things shall change, and thou shall experience much that thou shall wish thy hadn't. Pain, fear, suffering and dismay... Look at these only briefly, and focus upon hope.strength.and love." She glanced at everyone. "This doth apply to all of thee."
There was a hushed chorus, "Yes, my lady."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apologies for delay. Darn the schoolwork. Darn the difficult people I know. __ Damn the stupid computer erasing everything! RWAR! ::Gnashes at the air:: But summer is here, and I'm going to start updating!
You: FINALLY!
Me: ^__^;; Also, I invite everyone to come and visit me at my fictionpress.net account and read poems written by me. Ever since the site split into two, no one seems to visit anymore. :( Come and see me once and a while! I welcome visitors! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
