AN: Heyo, ALittleBirdSaid here! I've been gone for an eternity, I know. Anyway, I've whipped up this chapter just to keep that looming responsibility of "I have to write" off my chest. And for the enjoyment of writing, of course! So, let me know about any weird errors I may have overlooked. Thanks for commenting, reviewing, following, and favoriting!

Disclaimer: I don't own LoZ and things like that so.

Rated T


The next few days for Link went by incredibly slow; the impatient feeling driven by the fact he was stuck in Kakariko Village - no amount of persuasion to the local elders would let him go up the mountain to see the Gorons. Link had given the slightly weak excuse that he was a foreign trader who had urgent business with the Gorons - even that wouldn't make the men budge. They were worried, obviously - at least some news had wriggled it's way out of Castletown that there was a tyrannical rule that threatened the country. The men just didn't realize that it was an old threat - a corrupted Triforce piece inside a twisted man.

And I'm stuck here like a sitting duck. Link bitterly thought.

Unlike him, Alika and Nova had quite easily adjusted; Alika often went to the trader to look at the luxuries, while Nova played with Abel and was a sort of moral support for Malon. Link, on the other hand, kept his distance - he needed time to think.

Link swirled his glass in his hand before taking a sip from it. He drummed his hand on the table before looking out the window into the open area of the village. Nova and Abel were making a second snowman outside in the large snowbanks, next to the first that Link had made with Abel. The sun was shining dully through the clouds, while there was a thick layer of clouds surrounding Death Mountain. A snowstorm was surely raging at that very moment.

The elders of Kakariko had told Link that the Gorons had isolated themselves from the people of Kakariko - usually, they said, the Gorons often came down the mountain to trade or simply visit. Relations had grown much better between the two, the elders had said. Now, with the peoples' usual traders of bombs and other weapons were cut off, the village was suffering. Traders who went up in the last few days often didn't come back down. They had advised Link to wait, at least a week. Now, Link was having half a mind to sneak up the mountain, but he knew that would be suicide. If only the Gorons could come talk to him, if would make his life a little easier. Gorons were leagues more resilient in extreme weather than people; if Link only still had the Goron mask from Termina...

"That's your third glass sir." Link looked up to see the bartender standing over him, hand on her hip. She had an amused smile on her face as she brushed her ebony hair from her eyes. "Surely you won't get drunk before supper."

Link exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't do it often." the bartender smiled again, and sat down in the chair opposite to him.

"How often?" she asked.

"The first time I got drunk," Link paused as he shifted in his seat. "I was 19." he had no idea why he had just told a random bartender that piece of information, but it seemed rather fitting. He didn't even answer the question, but the bartender seemed satisfied.

She nodded slowly, leaning closer to Link. "Started early."

"I wouldn't say that."

A pause.

The bartender inhaled before speaking. "The name's Quinn."

"...Link."

Quinn leaned back in her chair and looked out the window, resting her chin on her hand. "So, Link," she nodded her head in the direction outside. "I've noticed that you've stared out the window almost the whole time you've sat -" she patted the table. "-here."

Link took a sip of his drink before speaking. "I guess that's true. I've needed to think."

Quinn chuckled. "You've been thinking about going up the mountain, haven't you? Hon, it would be suicide."

"How did you -"

"Know? You, well, look like the type of guy who would go up. For an adventure." she scoffed. "Not like you can go up now. The snow will either kill you, or the Gorons will."

"They'll kill?"

Quinn shrugged. "That's what I've heard from my father. He's one of the elders, so he knows most of the details. But yes," she stood up from her chair. "I've heard they've become incredibly aggressive, for whatever reason..."

Link had an idea of why the Gorons were acting the way they were, but he decided against telling Quinn. He didn't need her nagging him about his hunch (it wasn't a hunch, really, it was practically fact), and Link still didn't exactly trust her in a way like a friend. Her blatant flirty looks and hair flips told him just as much. He wasn't an idiot - he could see when woman wanted to reel him in whether he liked it or not.

Link pushed his glass away from him and stood up like Quinn. "Well, thank you. I'm going out - wait -" Link began to loosen his money pouch from his belt, but Quinn jumped in.

"No - no, it's on me." she winked at him as she took his glass, before sashaying away to the bar, seemed to put in an extra effort to swing her hips. Link stood in silence, hand on his wallet, before exhaling and stepping toward the door, opening it. As he stepped out, he rubbed his hands together in an attempt to heat them up. Link kept forgetting to buy some gloves, goddesses he was forgetful...

Link bumped into a man who was making his way toward the bar, then squeezed past a pair of old women. Kakariko, even in the middle of winter, was rather busy. Small groups were making their way in and out of shops, the occasional child running by followed by friends or parents.

"Link!" Link turned in the direction of the voice, and saw Nova walking toward him, Malon next to her. His and Malon's silence had become even more frosty, only clipped words being exchanged. She appeared to still blame him for the series of events from the few days before, and the only thing that most likely kept her from jumping at Link's throat was Abel, who was slowly becoming more and more attached to Link as time went on. Abel was determined to have Link as a father, something which was out of Link's league, for one. He also seemed to be trying to get Malon to like Link more. Was a result from Malon telling stories about Link to Abel, and Abel somehow pieced together the fact that Malon had liked Link? Or just an idea that to be his father, him and Malon had to be infatuated with each other?

Malon hated Link, so Link didn't see any prospect from that.

And Zelda... she was always in the back of Link's head, driving a constant worrying feeling into his skull. No, he couldn't just give Zelda up.

"Link, I got you these... hope you like them." Nova smiled broadly as she handed Link a bundle wrapped in a thin cloth, which Link took slowly, pushing away his thoughts.

"What are they?" Nova rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"It's a surprise - open it." Link did as she said, and was met with a pair of leather-bound gloves, complete with rough grips. They were just like the ones he had lost, except much cleaner.

Link smiled, and patted Nova's shoulder. "Wow, thanks so much. You're a lifesaver. Here," Link went to grab his money, but Nova snorted.

"Please. It's a gift, Link." she smiled broadly. "Surely you can except a gift, for goddesses sake - you looked like you needed a pair." she walked by Link, shoving him playfully as she went in the direction of the inn. Link smiled as he called to her,

"Thank you, Nova!" Nova looked back and waved a slight hand as Link turned to walk by Malon. Link could feel Malon's gaze drilling into the back of his head, but he didn't look back at her. He couldn't.

"Could I talk to you?" it was practically a whisper, one that Link had strained his ears to hear. He should of guessed that she wanted to talk to him if she was staring at the back of his head. She obviously wanted to talk about something not desirable - something sensitive.

Link turned in a small circle and looked at Malon. Her eyes were sharp like flint, a contrast to her weak voice. Link hesitated before responding, then sighed.

"...Sure."

Malon began to walk away, toward a small line of fir trees that was near a run down house (Link vaguely recalled it was the Cursed Spider home), and looked back at him. Link followed, and Malon went behind one of the larger trees, beckoning to him.

There was a brief silence between the two when Link got behind the tree with Malon, before she spoke in a clipped tone.

"Shouldn't you have left for the mountain days ago?"

"What do you want?" Link responded with a question, one that he probably should have waited in asking; Malon looked miffed at his question, before sinking back into a cold stupor.

"That's none of your business."

"It's none of your business to ask me when I'm going to leave." Oops, his tone wasn't any better as well. Malon let out an almost disbelieving sigh.

"You're acting so bitter; so old." Link scoffed, and crossed his arms.

"That's what being on your own for years does to you - you have to learn to mature."

"Being a parent does that to you too - not that you know anything about that." Link could practically taste the passive-aggressive bite oozing from her words. He decided not to respond to that, and Malon started up again. "You've changed so much it's incredible. You're not that cute, 10 year old boy I knew. You're a cold man Link."

Link couldn't help but frown. Now she was just making assumptions about him. "I have a heart - say, who's been the one to keep Abel company these past few days?" when he was met with silence, Link smirked. "Not you; me. I've been keeping him busy - I know what he's going through, what you're going through -"

"You don't know. You don't know what it's like to see someone just - just die right in front of you -"

"I see people die around me every moment! Friends, out in the mountains, children, dying of some illness in the villages - I don't just shrug it off - Malon -" Link put out a hand to rest on her shoulder, but she let out a huff and whirled around, striding out into the main square. "Malon! You can't just -"

"Stay away from him, Link. Stay away from my Abel. I don't want to see another person die because of you -"

"Excuse me?" Link jogged after Malon, before scoffing. "If I didn't intervene in LonLon, you would be dead. Huh? How about that?" Malon frowned deeply, and she looked away, taking in a shaky breath.

"Just stay away - Link." Link couldn't help but let out a growl of frustration - it shouldn't be this hard to talk with Malon - an old friend, nevertheless.

"Malon, I know nothing can reverse what just happened, but please - forgive me -"

"No."

"Malon -"

"I'm not saying it again, Link!" her voice became raised and high-pitched at her exclamation. She let out a shaky breath and hugged herself around the chest. "It may sound idiotic, but - it's for the best. I-" Malon faltered, looking on the edge to speak, but shook her head sadly. "...Never mind."

Link couldn't bring himself to say anything as Malon looked at him one last time, and slowly turned again, making her way back to the inn. It felt like the temperature had dropped outside - the wind wasn't pleasant anymore, it was cruel and nipped at Link's face. He obviously wasn't welcome in Malon's eyes, in any way, shape, or form.

Link frowned and looked down at his feet, before looking back up to the slowly retreating figure of Malon. There was no use talking to her anymore; she would never listen to him again. There're just certain events that apologizing just can't fix, Link... he thought to himself as he kicked at a small lump of snow on the ground next to him.

Then, a sudden tremor shook the ground, disappearing as quickly as it came. One of the snowmen Abel made slouched down to the ground. Was it just Link, or was he hearing rumbling as well? Link looked upwards at the heavy layer of clouds enveloping Death Mountain. It wasn't an eruption, that's for sure... The rumbling was growing louder, closer. Another tremor. Then, a yell of terror from the gate leading up the Death Mountain trail, and a crash. Malon whipped around and looked in the direction of Link, as Link turned around as well.

Four Gorons were rolling down the path at a blistering pace, kicking up snow. Link saw out of the corner of his eye, a group of the elders exit the town hall, drawing swords. One of the men shouted at the Gorons, waving his sword, while the others spread out along the ground.

"Creatures of the Mountain, calm thyself!" one of the Gorons unrolled as the other three began tearing around the village, causing people outside to flee. The Goron who unrolled pointed a massive finger at the men, a snarl on his face. He was massive; much larger than any Goron Link had ever seen. There were decorative tattoos wrapping up his arms, black against his tan skin. The Goron was obviously one of high rank among the tribe; Link could tell.

"It is the humans who are a greater threat to the mountain!" the Goron bellowed. "Your people have not been acknowledging the ban on humans Darunia, leader of the Gorons, has administered!" Link caught the name Darunia, and his heart skipped a beat. Darunia; he needed to see Darunia - talk to him. "You have expended your final chance!"

"No reason to terrorize this village, strong one!" the same elder gruffly stated, grey beard trembling as he spoke. "Leave us in peace, and we pray you will do the same!"

"Hylians, humans, Gerudo -! They are greedy, and they will never leave one alone! Thus, you, will -" his words were cut off by a piercing scream from behind Link.

Link whirled around and saw Malon in the snow, backing away from one of the Gorons, who was advancing toward her menacingly, bringing a fist into their opposite hand. "Malon!" Link ran at the Goron, and lept onto the Goron's back, bringing the Goron to the ground from his momentum. Malon screamed again, and stood up shakily as the elders began to come down the path from the town hall. Link brought himself back up to his feet, just as the Goron sent a punch at his head. Link could hear the air whistle as the fist came by inches from his head, and he rolled across the ground, drawing his sword.

"Young man, stand down!" the bearded elder huffed as Link dodged another blow from the Goron, who grunted with the effort. "Good strong one, please, call off your comrades!" the tattooed Goron only let out a yell of anger, and charged at group of elders, who scattered. The other two Gorons had stopped in the square, and had launched themselves into the fray.

Link heard Alika and Nova's yells from behind them with the slam of a door, but he didn't dare to look - he was too busy dodging the increasingly aggressive punches from the Goron who was sending Link a murderous look; one pierced Link's very soul.

There was another scream, a shout of triumph, and Alika's "NO!", one that made Link turn around, stumbling as the Goron sent another punch his way, one Link barely avoided.

The leader Goron was holding Malon, one hand around her waist, the other at her neck. Malon was making a good struggle - she was kicking and biting at the Goron's hand, but the Goron didn't seem to notice - he was simply smiling at the band of elders, who were huddled together as a group. "Stand down, my brothers." the Goron said as the three others went behind the leader, still in a battle stance. A cold, tense silence fell over the square, before the first elder that had tried to reason with the Goron spoke.

"Pray, strong one, please... let the lady go." the bearded elder set his sword down on the ground, raising his opposite hand. He stepped forward, and the Gorons backed away. Malon let out a stifled squeak as her face contorted into pain. Link got a terrible feeling in the bottom of his stomach - she couldn't die, if she did, he would never forgive himself -

"Step forward, and I'll break the pretty lady's neck."

"The Gorons were a tribe of peace, of unification! Brothers forsworn - isn't that the whole idea of the Gorons?" Link spat in half desperation. He couldn't help it, and smirked in relief as an expression of disbelief crossed the Goron's face.

"How do you know of the brother's oath?" Good. As long as the Goron knew Link knew of the code, Malon was relatively safe.

"I was long ago accepted as one of you - killing a person won't help anything. I know what is happening to Hyrule, if you just let me see Darunia, I will explain -" The Goron's face became ugly at the suggestion.

"Never!" his grip seemed to tighten around Malon again -

"Mommy!" Link turned at Abel's sudden, desperate, voice, as he was getting held back by Quinn, who trying to pull him back through the door of the inn. "Momma, momma -!" Link turned back to the Goron, and brought a hand to his chest. He heard Quinn trying to console Abel behind him, who was whimpering quietly.

"Just take me back to Death Mountain. Make me a prisoner - kill me, torture me - I don't care. Just let her go."

"Young man -," the bearder elder started, but Link raised a hand. He took off his left glove, and tugged his sleeve up to the elbow, exposing his forearm to the Goron. The black coloring was worse than even Link expected - his wrist was now covered with black tendrils from his grey Triforce, snaking up his arm to fade away before the elbow.

"See this? I'm dying, strong one - a power inside of me is backfiring, it's poisoning me." Link felt a twisted satisfaction as he saw the Goron's mouth drop in astonishment. "I'll die anyway, or I'll lose my mind from this. Literally. This is something that Darunia needs to see."

"I-I-" the Goron stammered, before faltering at the sound of more rumbling coming from the mountain trail.

"Goddesses above..." Link heard one of the elders murmur as at least 10 Gorons came hurtling down into the main square, all flanking one Goron, who stopped next to the Goron holding Malon and stood up. This Goron was slightly smaller than the one he was standing next to, yet much more intimidating. Black, fearless eyes, spiky unkempt hair, and a deep, deep frown. One that Link recognized instantly.

"Let the Hylian go, Ace! Or your honor is tainted to the bone!" Darunia barked, and the Goron instantly dropped Malon to the ground, before bowing shakily. Darunia had the way of imposing power on anybody - it was his voice that demanded attention.

"D-Darunia, I-I apologize -" Ace babbled as Malon stood and ran to behind Link, instantly wrapping Abel up into a hug. Link looked at the two, and made eye contact with Quinn, who smiled tightly and nodded. Link watched as Quinn helped Malon up, and led them through the door to the inn slowly. No one appeared to notice, except for Alika and Nova. "-that man -" Link looked up at Ace, who was pointing a large finger in his direction. Darunia looked from Ace to Link, and his face instantly became even more stony than it had been before.

Link took the chance to speak. "...Darunia."

"Link? The Hero of Time?" Darunia said hoarsely. "You're alive? ...I had doubted this whole time-"

"We shouldn't be speaking of whether or not I died. I am dying - but," Link continued as Darunia's eyes widened in horror. "I need to ask of the other sages - Ruto, Saria -" Link added desperately until he was cut off.

"S-sages?" the bearded elder sputtered. "Great patriarch, what do you - and this man - speak of?"

"A matter that goes beyond you, Enoch." Darunia rumbled. "Yet one that includes us all."

"Cease to speak in riddles, Darunia - if it is an important matter at hand, all should hear it!" Enoch stubbornly said, as the other elders around him nodded in agreement. Darunia looked as if he would scold the men, but sighed and shook his head.

"If you men must persist." Darunia looked up at Link, his gaze boring into Link. "The Zoras have fallen. Ruto has fled the country. The Zora King is dead."


Alrighty, I got it done (phew)! Introducing Darunia and all that jazz :) For whatever reason, I rather liked Darunia almost more than any other sage in OoT... he seemed like a pretty fun dude. Anyway, R&R !