I don't own Legend of Zelda. Enjoy! :)


Chapter Nine

"So… You train your… Young at… The age of… Thirteen?"

Sheik nodded as he watched Link finish climbing the vine-covered cliff. According to the fairies following them, they were close to the end of the forest, which would be a great relief—hiking through thick, dense never-changing-scenery of greenery tend to make one go a bit crazy.

He helped Link over the last few feet of the cliff, watching him sit on a nearby root, catching his breath.

"For a solider, you lose your breath quickly." He grinned as he saw the Hylian glare at him. "Easy for… You to say…Which brings the… Question… How can you be standing there with… Air in your lungs?" Sheik smirked. "Easy. Climbing an eighty feet cliff every day since my first day of training makes this thirty-something feet cliff not challenging."

He chuckled as he saw the bewildered look upon Link's face. "You make your young ones climb that high of a cliff? Why? They could fall!" Sheik laughed. "True, but it's not more dangerous than training with a weapon. Besides, there is net beneath them if they fall." Link shook his head. "You Sheikah go to the extreme. Though, from what I heard, your people live in peaceful villages; why all the training?"

Sheik took a bit to answer, picking at the grass swaying slightly. "Yes, they were. Even though we lived in peaceful times, there would be raids of bandits and barbarians few times each year. So naturally we have trained warriors. All of it changed when your people declare war." Uncomfortable silence spread between them. Then Link spoke up. "I wasn't there when the war broke out, but we were told that a few Sheikah attacked a soldier while your leader and the Grand General were signing a treaty."

Anger filled Sheik as he heard the lies. "Your people are full of lies and deceit. Your 'grand general' searched our homes for this non-existing treasure. One family refused to entrance to their home. Unhappy with the decline, that one soldier, that monster, killed the only child of that family; a six-year-old girl by the name of Shi. And thus, the war started." Sheik breathed in deep as the negative emotions coursed through him. He felt Link's hand rubbing his shoulder, feeling his warmth seep into him, calming him.

"This damn war; so many had suffered, all because of a treasure. I promise you Sheik, that I'll stop this war and that your people can live as you did before." Sheik sighed. "Link, I thank you for your words, but there's no way just you can en-"

"Navi! Let go!" Both blond heads turned up as they the blue orb of Navi and a dark-purple, rimmed with red orb, flew towards them. With a thud, both orbs collided into the moss-covered dirt. Lights faded as Navi and a male fairy slowly sat up. The male rubbed his head.

"Navi! You should have let go. We both could have been hurt." Navi jumped up and giggled as she clumped him. "Oh Tael, I missed you!" Tael struggled to get free, but soon stopped as he heard other voices.

"Navi, who's this?" Sheik stood standing as he watched Link kneel before the two faires. Navi let go of Tael and flew to Link's shoulder. "Hi Link! This is Tael, Tatl's twin brother. It's ok Tael, you can dim your light."

Sheik watched the male fairy faded his light, revealing the same youthfulness as the yellow fairy. His hair was the color of royal-purple, with dark-red highlights, loosely hanging. A dark-purple short-sleeve tunic covered his torso to min-thigh, while black trousers clothed his legs. Tael shifted nervously and stood behind the blue fairy as he stared up at the giants before them.

"You sure we can trust them, Navi?" Navi nodded, but it was a different voice that answered him. "Of course we can, or do you think that I'm not able to tell which of these giants are trustworthy?" Tael turned and tackle-hugged his twin sister. "Sister! I missed you!" Tatl groaned at his behavior. "Tael, we weren't gone that long. Besides, aren't you supposed back the village, helping Mother Faive?" Tael nodded his head. "Yes, but she sent me out to fetch you two and these two giants; she has… A message?... A warning?... She has something for them." Tatl shook her head. "You dolt. You're like Navi, as soon as you're given a duty, you run off without hearing the rest of your task." Navi stomped her foot on Link's shoulder in defiance. "Hey! I at least remember what I was told!" Tael glared at her and flew to Link's other shoulder. "Yeah! Well, I get my duties done faster than you!" "No!"

Tatl groaned at their bickering and flew in front of Sheik and Link, ignoring the little dispute that's happening on the Hylian's shoulder. "I guess you're invited to come to our village. I don't know what Mother Faive wants, but we mustn't linger and have her waiting for us. But, this is a first for outsiders to come to our home. What you'll see, you must not tell." Sheik and Link nodded. And with that, Tatl led the way to the village.


"So, only the Woodland Gerudo has multiple males?" Marcus finished loading the last of supplies into a pack as a male Gerudo, named Neruun, was educating him in Gerudo culture the past two days. "Yes. The Waterbound Gerudo—or pirates they like to call themselves, and the Desertdweller Gerudo have the every hundred law—where only one male is born every hundredth year. The Windhigh Gerudo and the Grassterrian Gerudo have males, but they only have a select few; only the strongest of are allowed in their tribe." "But, it seems strange that the Desertdwellers and the Waterbounds have one male born every hundred year. Surely they have more born?" Neruun nodded. "Yes, though not many males are born, since the Gerudo is dominantly female, but there are males between each hundredth year; they send their newborn males to us, waiting for one to be born on the hundredth year. For the Windhighs and the Grassterrians, any males that don't pass as strong when born, they are sent to us." Marcus furrowed his brow. "But, how do you know when a male is born and how do you retrieve them?" Neruun nodded towards a medium-size hut, were hundreds of four different species of birds flying in and out and nesting. "We get letters from them and we send a small group to go retrieve them and bring them to their home." Marcus nodded as he tied the pack closed. "Were you born in one of those tribes?" Neruun shook his head. "No, I was born here, like my mother. But my father was born in the Waterbound tribe, sent here since he wasn't born on the hundredth year." Neruun gathered his and Marcus's pack and stashed them into the nearby hut.

"Go away Hylian!" Marcus turned his head and saw his brother chasing after the Gerudo woman that brought them to the Wise Sage. "Come on, Ryail! You got to come with us on this mission-trip-thing!" Ryail shook her head. "No, I don't. I'm needed here, not on some fool's errand to stop a war that has nothing to do with me or my people. Besides, you only want me to accompany you on this mission because you want to bed me, something you'll never do, Outsider." She spat at his feet and briskly walked away as Mitchell stared after her, dumbstruck.

"Hehehe, you're brother just got his pride eaten." Marcus chuckled. "It's true that he follows his groin when it comes to a beautiful woman; most would laugh him off or swoon. Ryail is the first woman to ever to hand his ass to him; it's good for him to know that not every woman would be easily persuaded with charm." Neruun nodded.

Marcus excused himself and walked over to his dejected brother. "Damn it Marc, I can't seem get her to bat even an eyelash at me. What's wrong with me?" Marcus sighed and smacked Mitchell's head. "You idiot, you need to stop letting your loincloth run your brain. A woman wouldn't even waste a glance if you keep this up; hell, you'll be an old croon with no wife by your side." Mitchell shook his head. "I understand that I let my perverted mind take over when I confront women, but this one, Ryail… I don't what it is, but my heart flutters at the sight of her and my stomach feels all queasy, like I'm fallen ill. Brother, I believe I'm in love with her…" Marcus smiled. "Ah, Brother, such a tragedy you're going through. Only two days passed, you're already pouring your heart for a strong-headed woman, who has no interest in you." Mitchell gave him a goofy grin. "Yeah… But I'm not about to give up; I'll win her heart yet."

"A slim chance you have, Hylian." Both brothers turned to see the Wise Sage, whose name is they've learned was Hahinn. "My Siil'le has been courted by many men; all certain they can win her heart. But all failed. If you want advice, treat her like a warrior; a warrior who is proud of her heritage and not some exotic woman to have as a prize in bed." He sternly looked at Mitchell for a few seconds, before slipping into a smile. "You'll have chance, though. She's coming along." Hahinn chuckled as he saw the bewildered look on Hylian's face; Marcus joined in the laughter.

"Yuul'ji!"All three males spun to see a furious Ryail storm up to Hahinn, her face beholding the wrath of a goddess. "It'koo aa'l n'rir s'aa un'oot! It'koo ka'll vu'nnt s'eiil!" Hahinn shook his head. "It'koo ke'rr vu'nnt guu'r fy'iil; fy'iil jii'ol s'eiil." Ryail clenched her teeth and pointed at Mitchell. "It'koo jii'ol vu'nnt t'yeev h'ii nu'iim!" Her grandfather just smiled. "Fy'ill jii'ol t'yeev h'ii nu'iim." Ryail stabbed her spear into the ground. "SE'KUU! It'koo jii'ol vu'nnt!"

Marcus pulled his brother back slowly as they watched the old man straighten up and stare into his granddaughter's challenging eyes. "Fy'ill iik'l ru'ett yi'eeni f'rren? Fy'ill vir're ye'iik ro'ori n'rir fy'illn ny'uuem?" Ryail lowered her eyes and reluctantly kneeled before the Wise Sage. "Se'kuu, yi'eeni E'rras. Lr'i fy'ill yti'em, it'koo jii'ol uu't fy'illn f'rren." Hahinn nodded. "Good. Now you must pack. Hylians," The twins stood straight as the Wise Sage approached them, "I trust you are packed; we leave in half an hour." The twins nodded as the old man left them alone. Mitchell's violet eyes wandered to the Gerudo kneeling on the ground, shame and anger shaking her body. He slowly approached her, and offered his hand to help her up. Ryail glared at him and knocked his hand away as she stood up. "I will do as my Wise Sage asks, but don't think we'll be on good terms." She pulled her spear out of the ground and briskly walked to her home.

Marcus came to Mitchell and patted him on the back. "Still wish to court her?" Mitchell looked at him and he had a determine smile. "Yeah."


Link followed Sheik, who was following Tatl to her village. Navi and Tael settled down from their bricking an hour ago; now they sat on his shoulders, creating random chit-chat.

"Alright, we're." Link stopped and looked around Sheik, seeing nothing but vegetation growing between large tree trunks. "When we enter, you'll notice a change; don't be frightened by it." Both nodded at her words and she led them through the foliage into a dark den. Through the dark, Link felt for the wall as to not trip, when he felt a soft hand touched his. He would've pulled his away, but a soft, sweet voice stopped him.

"It's ok Link; it's just me." Recognizing Navi's voice, but not as high pitched, Link put his trust into her. He soon saw a light at the end of the cave-tunnel and he when stepped out after Sheik, both his jaw and the Sheikah's dropped. What lay before them was a village, with fairies tall as them.

"Welcome to our village." Link looked next to Sheik and saw Tatl, a foot shorter than them, welcoming them to the village. Feeling his hand squeezed, he looked at Navi, two feet shorter, beaming at him; Tael, a foot taller, grinned at them. Tatl motioned for them to follow her.

As they walked through the village, Link felt a bit uneasy as he saw many of villagers giving them glares and suspicious looks. He felt Sheik touch his arm in reassurance. "It's alright Link. I think don't they'll harm us unless we gave reason to." Link nodded. "I know."

Tatl stopped them before a large hut. "When you go in, you'll kneel." And in she went with Link, Sheik, Navi, and Tael trailing behind. Inside was bare except for few hammocks and a small dugout with herbs growing. Link and Sheik kneeled as instructed, with Tael and Navi kneeling on either side of them. Tatl kneeled in front of a vine covered entryway, waiting. The green-creepers were pushed aside as another fairy entered the room. They spoke low to Tatl, who nodded or shook her head. Seemly pleased, the fairy gave a nod and exit back though the vines. Tatl turned to them.

"Mother Faive wishes to see you." Without word, Link and Sheik walked through the hanging plants, coming upon a small room. Seeing a lone figure sitting with their backs towards them, the Hylian and the Sheikah kneeled before them.

"Hello, Sheikah and Hylian. I'm glad you're able to come." Link looked at Sheik before answering. "We're honored to come, though why summon us?" The figure stood and turned towards them, showing them a kind smile upon a young woman's face. Her eyes shifted from color to color as she observed them. "To transport you; you're needed to be elsewhere." Sheik then spoke up. "How can we be transported? Link and I can't leave this forest. The Queen Fairy placed a spell, or something of the similar sort, on us. We can't leave 'til we let our hatred go." The fairy woman smiled. "But, you already have let go of it. Don't you see? You and this Hylian overcame it long ago. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have sent for you."

A clicked could be heard in Link'smind—if such a thing were possible—as did in Sheik's. The fairy smile grew, knowing they came to the truth. "But alas, your journey does not end here; I must send you to the south, where the Lost Woods dwell. There, you'll find someone who has the answer to stop this war." The fairy waved her hands, creating small waves of light that started to float towards them. Link stepped closer to Sheik as the Sheikah shouted something, but was lost to the wind as the light swirled fast around them and they disappeared.

Mother Faive smiled at the spot the two blonds were. "Good luck, children. May your hardships end this war."


A green blur raced through the woods; dodging branches and swooping under huge roots. A small green orb flew near her, keeping the pace. Water-blue eyes searched for the spot where the two travelers will appear. Seeing a bright, blinding light to the left, the figure quickly changed direction and stood atop of a root and waited as the light dimmed. Seeing two men groaning and rubbing their sore bodies, the person softly smiled as memories of distant past raced through their minds.

"Saria… Are you ok?" The little Kokiri girl nodded to the green orb; her smiling growing as she looked upon the blond Hylian, knowing what power he beholds.


Translations

Siil'le - Granddaughter

Yuul'ji - Grandfather

It'koo aa'l n'rir s'aa un'oot! It'koo ka'll vu'nnt s'eiil! - I wish to stay here! I do not go!

It'koo ke'rr vu'nnt guu'r fy'iil; fy'iil jii'ol s'eiil. - I can not let you; you will go.

It'koo jii'ol vu'nnt t'yeev h'ii nu'iim! - I will not travel with him!

Fy'ill jii'ol t'yeev h'ii nu'iim. - You will travel with him.

SE'KUU! It'koo jii'ol vu'nnt! - NO! I will not!

Fy'ill iik'l ru'ett yi'eeni f'rren? Fy'ill vir're ye'iik ro'ori n'rir fy'illn ny'uuem? - You dare defy my word? You would bring dishonor to your family?

Se'kuu, yi'eeni E'rras. Lr'i fy'ill yti'em, it'koo jii'ol uu't fy'illn f'rren. - No, my Wise Sage. What you ask, I will follow your word.