Chapter 9: The Next Clue
Link and Zelda woke up pretty early the next morning, as did the elder and the priest. Triest was gone, without saying if he would return, so the priest headed back to the sanctuary. They all thanked him and saw him off. Link and Zelda looked at each other, then decided to continue on the quest they had started. Maybe the Hidden Waterfall would be able to help. Now, there was a reason to find it. They asked the elder if he knew anything about its location or how to get there.

"Yes. I do know of the waterfall you speak of, but the journey is a harsh one that will test you to your limits. Do you think you're ready for it?"
"Yes"
"Definitely" they responded.
"Well then, allow me to tell you the legend of the Hidden Waterfall, as passed down through the ages...

The Golden Land, where The Triforce lay, holds numerous secrets. One of which is a waterfall. Not just any waterfall, but a Waterfall of Wishing. Similar to the one in Hyrule, but much more potent. It has been said to have the power to create all, to know all, and to enrich all. It was created from the very essence of the Triforce itself. Power, Wisdom, and Courage. All three of these are in it's essence. The few travelers who make it all the way are said to be gifted with special powers given to them by the faerie who resides there, and always say she is the most beautiful thing they have ever seen. Many seek, few find, fewer return.

"As you can see, it will be perilous, but I can tell you how to get to the mystic Golden Land if you wish."
Link and Zelda nodded.
"Now, we have a reason to go," She said. Link nodded in agreement.
"Very well then," The elder said, "I will show you how to open the way to the Golden Land. Go to Death Mountain and reach the inactive portal there. Stand on the portal, hold the Master Sword into the air, and shout these words out. Zelda, you must hold onto Link throughout this journey. If you don't, you may become separated during the warp to the other side. The portal will open and suck in anything around it, so stay together. Now then, shout these words, 'By the power of the gods, and the sacred Blade of Evil's Bane, I open the path to the land of the Golden Power.' " Link and Zelda thanked the elder, then departed.

"Link?" Zelda asked.
"Yes?" he responded.
"Triest. Where do you think he is now?"
"Well, I think he might be in either one of three places. The portal where we're headed, Turtle Rock, or on top of the Tower of Hera. When we first met, those were the three places he felt the most connected with himself. The places he felt the most comfortable."
"Why do you think that?"
"Hard to say. I guess it's just something that only he knows." Zelda squeezed Link's hand.
"I just hope he's okay is all. We might not be as good as friends as you guys, but we still were." Link stopped, and faced Zelda. He looked into her eyes and said,
"Listen, he's gonna be okay. If there's anyone who knows Triest, it's me. I helped him through his hardest time, and this will be nothing different." He gave her a kiss, then said, "We'll find the waterfall, and somehow get rid of whatever is plaguing him." she smiled, and gave him a kiss in return.
"Thanks, Link. I'm glad to hear you say that. It makes me feel better."
"No problem, Zelda. Hey, while we're here, let's stop by the Lumberjack Brothers house to see if they have any tools or supplies for us to use."
"Okay." The two walked up to a little cottage on the outskirts of the Lost Woods. It was a pretty open area with numerous tree stumps and saplings everywhere. They knocked on the door and were greeted by the two lumberjack twins. They were kind of a nutty sort, but were always helpful to those in need. They both wore a green tunic-like outfit which resembled Link's attire.
"Link! How's it going, little man! Come in and sit down! And who do we have here?" said the elder brother.
"I'm Zelda. Princess of Hyrule," she chucked at their antics. They both bowed, and the younger of the two said,
"To what to we owe this great honor?"
"We are in need of some supplies. We've got a tough road ahead of us," he said seriously. The elder of the two jumped up, and sprang to a nearby drawer,
"then help you out, we must! Here is some of the newest arrows we have created, used especially for hunting!" Link looked at the arrow with awe,
"This...is magificent! How many can I have?" the elder brother had a sly look on his face.
"You can have none, but I'll sell them to you for one rupee an arrow,"
"Ok, but what do you guys use the rupees for anyway? It can't be as money," Link queried.
"Nope. Take a look at that arrowhead there!"
"Wow! It's a rupee shard! Man! Sold! Here's 100 rupees."
"And here's your 100 arrows! Feel free to take any food you wish! We're heading back into the woods. Goodbye!" With that, the two headed into the Lost Woods.
"They're pretty unique, aren't they?" Zelda chuckled.
"Yeah, but they're good people," Link replied, "I believe we're ready to go." Zelda nodded, and they headed south to the cave which lead them to Death Mountain's summit. Through the cave, however, it was an interesting trip...

"Back off, I'll take you on, Headstrong, I'll take on anyone, I know that you are wrong, headstrong, we're headstrong!" Link sang as it echoed throughout the cave. Zelda started laughing hard,
"Link, what are you doing?" She asked, laughing.
"I led the life unchosen, gave a lesson to the broken. I heard the words unspoken, gave a lesson to the broken," by now, he was dancing around Zelda.
"Link, what has come over you all of a sudden?" she asked, still laughing. Link suddnly got serious, then gave a big smile,
"Just livin' life is all! you know how it is!" Zelda chuckled, and they headed on up the mountain. They soon reached the portal, and prepared everything as they were told. Link held the Master Sword into the air, with Zelda clinging to him tightly. He shouted into the daylight, "By the power of the gods, and the sacred Blade of Evil's Bane, I open the path to the land of the Golden Power!!" The Master Sword glowed golden, and the portal below them started moving and it turned gold as well. The air around them started to get sucked into the portal. "Hang on Zelda!" Link cried. They started to sink into the ground. At first, his initial rection was to jump and get away, but he restrained himself and let his body go under.. The sands started swirling around him as Zelda's grip tightened around Link's waist. Then, suddenly, everywhere they looked, there was white. They both had a nauseous feeling, then next thing then knew, they were being thrown into the air over a wide open field that stretched into the distance. They landed hard, Zelda on top of Link. They looked into the distance. "Well, here we are. The Golden Land. Now, to find the Hidden Waterfall," Link said, looking out into the distance.