Author's Note: Oh my goddesses DONE with this chapter! And a great HOORAY to a new follower and 2 new faves! I'm so happy! ^_^ I hope this chapter is to everyone's liking. It was really hard to write, and the word count is utterly ridiculous. Killing my brain cells to write this amount of words? So sad. The reason being, aside from the usual school and work getting in the way, is I'm trying to stay true to realism. In addition, I apologize for the short length. Okay enough blabbering, here are some songs I used for inspiration if any of you are interested:

Celtic Music - Fairy Forest by Adrianvon Zielger (that man is a great composer; I think of Link's innocence as a younger child and the fairies of the forest that guide the children of Kokiri)

09 Arwen's Sont (Complete) (type exactly as written for this version; beautiful vocals and lyrics; the lyrics made me think of Link slowly realizing how the world is changing around him and the last three lines symbolize his mother yearning to hold him and comfort him from the frightful changes of an unfair world)

Relaxing Celtic Music - Spring Charm by Adrianvon Zielger (the melody sounds so bittersweet; it made me think of prayer of help and hope on Navi's and Saria's part)

So, enjoy readers!

Chapter 9

"Do you ever wonder what's beyond the forest, Saria?" Link asked. Curiosity had been strongly clinging for the past days.

The two laid on the smooth meadow- grass that provided a bed of comfort and stared at the patches of sky through the sunlit leaves of the tall forest trees. The sun casted its rays of soft light through the patched thicket, capturing the beauty of the forest's green life.

"Saria, have you ever wondered what's beyond the forest?" Link asked.

Saria looked surprised at Link, who remained captured at the sunlit scene. It was only a matter of time Link's curiosity would rise and continue. She knew in her heart Link would spark curiosity, and, perhaps, be bound to leave the forest.

Saria hesitated to answer, but succumbed to satisfy his curiosity, "Yes, Link, but you know we can't leave the forest…"

Link sighed, "I know, but I wish we could to see what's out there…" Link's tone was desolate. He rose from the ground to sit against the tree behind them, and brought his knees to his chest as Saria remained, sharing the same dejected feelings for reasons her own. Link had never thought to leave the forest, but for the past year, curiosity of the outside world struck him ever since he realized being the only child in Kokiri Forest without a fairy. The day he realized that painful truth was the day he had felt doubts of his Kokiri line, and his doubts were sparked further by the Kokiri boys who humiliated him for the absence of fairy companionship. Deprived of fairy companionship hoisted feelings of negligence and casted curiosity for the outside world from that day onward.

"Saria… when will I get my own fairy?" Link asked, longing in sadness for that day.

Saria sighed, knowing he would ask again. "When the time is right, Link," she sat up and smiled to him.

Link looked at Saria with desperate, upsetting eyes, "But whenwill be the right time Saria?"

Saria blinked and stared at Link. Never, she sadly thought. She remained silent as the painful truth resonated in her mind. She could not tell him the truth, knowing how it would break his heart. Saria walked over to Link and sat beside him, trying to search for the right words to say.

Before she could speak, Link continued without looking at her, "It's because I don't belong here… isn't it? I'm not a Kokiri, am I Saria?" Saria was shocked and saddened at Link's question.

"Don't say that Link. Of course you are Kokiri. Things take time. The fairy you're going to need will have to be extra special. I'm sure The Great Deku Tree is looking long and hard for that special fairy just for you. It will be more special than all the fairies of Kokiri," Saria said, seeking to erase Link's sadness.

"But Saria... All the fairies in Kokiri are special," Link tittered.

Saria chuckled, "You're right Link." Link turned to Saria and smiled. His question earlier swelled his thoughts and a question he never dared to think of began to rise. Before he could completely make of the thought, Saria's fairy came soaring rapidly toward them with happiness, with a swarm of fairies that followed suit. Link and Saria laughed at the surprise. They swirled around them and Saria's fairy collided into an embrace with Link's cheek along with the other fairies embracing Link from head to toe. Link laughed and hugged his hands around the small fairy and wished he had numerous hands to hug the other fairies all at once. Saria laid her arms over her knees, setting her head upon them to admire the joyous sight, wishing within herself upon the sympathy of the Goddess Farore to bestow Link a fairy.

That night was the last. Childish laughter echoed within the darkness void that, suddenly, was his vision. An obscure vision of Castleton appeared. Hazy, dark figures walked amongst the town. They appeared and disappeared from sight. The exit was ahead and Link ran toward the town gate until he was stopped by a familiar voice. He turned to see Hana sitting alone on a wooden crate, sighing and looking at the ground with gloom. Her woes were lifted by a man who approached her, with hand, a beautiful decorated treat on a stick.

"Thank you Daddy," Hana said to the man.

The slithering whiff of deliciousness caught his smelling senses. Link slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying in bed in a small wooden cabin lit by two lanterns. A round table with two seats that appeared as stools were across the bed and not too far was Dampé stirring a cauldron over a cobble stone furnace as Navi stood fluttering and twinkling next to him. Link gulped as the smell strengthened, but he remained in place staring at the old gravekeeper who had taken a sip from whatever filled the cauldron. His stomach growled in deep hunger. Navi turned and flew over to Link and embraced his forehead.

"Link! Please forgive me!" Navi cried through her embrace. "You needed to eat and I had forgotten about that!"

Dampé turned as he overheard Navi's twinkling voice. "Ahh, you're awake lad. Why din' ya' say anythin'?" he asked, and poured a full spoon of the heated condiments into a bowl. "I don' know wha' came ova' y'er thick bonehead of y'ers to be travelin' wih'out food lad. 'Ere, your fairy friend tol' me what you fores' youngsters eat, plus I mixed a blend of me own recipe," Dampé said and handed the bowl to Link. Link slowly rose and took the bowl.

"Now eat slowly lad, y'ar stomach 'tis empty and weak. 'Ya can hurt y'erself," Dampé explained. Link weakly nodded and began to drink from the bowl. The liquid was warm and creamy. The salty thickness deepened Link's hunger that he began to drink hastily.

"Link slow down, you're gonna hurt your stomach!" Navi yelled and tugged on his hair.

"Ah, ah slow down lad," Dampé said and lowered the plate with Link still gripping the bowl with both hands as he did. Dampé shook his head and retained a chuckle. Link could not help his wild hunger, but resumed to drink his soup with much slower pace as directed. He slurped the remnants of the soup and sighed with satisfaction. Navi stroke his hair for comfort. Drowsiness came heavily and Link yawned. He shook his head and felt confused with his sudden sleepy state.

Dampé sniggered, "'Tis a'right lad." He took the plate from Link and returned to stir the cauldron.

"Tha's w'uh 'appens when ya' don' eat," he said, shaking the spoon at Link's direction and blew out the fire with water. "Get some more sleep now laddie, ye'r gonna need it if ya's gonna be on y'er way."

"But—" Link tried to explain.

"Nay y'ar buts! Don' make me regret me feedin' ya' chap," Dampé warned. Link quickly sat back and lied himself back down. Dampé nodded, "Aye, now get some shudd'aye."

"He's right. Get some sleep Link," Navi fluttered and sat in front of his face. Link sighed and stared away at nothing. Navi stroke his head and strands of dangling hair covering his eyes. Navi sadly sighed. The journey had tousled her priorities. Guilt hovered her and she stood to embrace Link's forehead.

"I'm sorry Link," she wiped a tear away, "I should have been focused on you more than our journey. I'm supposed to guide you, and…care for you. I won't do this again Link! Can you forgive me?"

Link nodded and looked up at Navi, "Of course Navi, why wouldn't I?" He reached out and with a finger wiped away Navi's tear. Link sighed and readjusted himself as slumber was closing in on him. He slowly closed his eyes and muttered, "You're my fairy Navi. I'd never get mad at you…" With those words, he fell to slumber. Navi wiped her last tears and remained staring at Link. As much as her duty was to remain a mere guide for the child not of Kokiri, she could not help but care immensely for the boy who was meant to be Hyrule's hero. She despaired over the fateful day at the end of their journey.

Dampé then approached from behind. "Looks like he's fas' asleep. I don' know much 'bout fairies, but ya' bes' be getting' some shudd'aye as well 'lil one."

Navi twinkled and shook her head.

"I see ya'r be troubled. You wanna tell ole grumpy Dampé wha' be troublin' ya' lil one?" Dampé asked. Navi shook her head again.

"Ahhh, come now lassie," Dampé said and gently scooped the deity in his hands. "Le'h 'im sleep and you share with Dampé your woes." He pulled a curtain that unknowingly stood at the wall and closed it in front of Link. Dampé grabbed a small pillow and laid it on the table for Navi to sit on. Navi was grateful for Dampé's hospitality toward them and decided to vent with him.

~SSSS~

"It seems 'ya care more than wha' 'ya duty intended to, aye?" he asked. Navi's head hung in disappointment and nodded.

"I can't see why it has to be. Look at me lassy, I can understand ya'! Be no'in but a twinkle y'ar voice, for bloomin's sake I don' even know how I can understan' ya', but I can; every single word lassy. Don' d'at give ya' hope?"

Navi looked up at the old gravekeeper with desperate, hopeful eyes. She sighed, "Yes…"

"Sometimes laws can be bended. Link was given a home in y'er forest, an' he ain't Kokiri. You be travelin' with him and he ain' Kokiri. Where be y'er rules? Follow y'er heart lass, y'ar won' be stirred wrong… If not, he be turnin' mad like y'ar ole Dampé here, right Shu'l?" he called out to his shovel, waiting for a reply. He slapped his knee and hoarsely laughed.

"T'is for sure lass, he will defini'ly need 'ya, perhaps even more after y'ar journey," Dampé confirmed. He looked over to the closed curtain, where from behind Link laid dormant, and sighed, "If ther's one thin' I kno', is needin' someone… Even this grumpy ole gravekeeper would love a fairy like ya'self. Sometimes grown-ups need fairies too."

Navi stared at the old gravekeeper, seeing the longing in his eyes. Her eyes trailed to the curtain, beginning to wonder and store away Dampé's words.

"Now then," Dampé sighed, not wanting to sink into suppressed emotions," will 'ya like to help me with somethin' lass?"

Navi turned to Dampé and nodded, "Yes. Out of gratitude for caring for me and Link."

"I'll tell 'ye a 'lil secret," Dampé said in a low voice. He rose from his chair and walked over to retrieve his shovel and a lantern. The two stepped outside to leave Link in silence for a profound sleep. He began walking down the brick path, "There are underground tunnels 'ere in this shabby ole place. Built 'em all mi'self with Shu'l 'ere."

"Wow," Navi said in amazement, "What are they for?"

"Oh, jus' to get around, but haven't been through 'em in ages…" Dampé said, then his mood turned solemn and came to a stop, "This place holds many secrets…"

He glared at nothing for a brief moment, then turned to Navi and smiled, "Good to know somethin' good came out of 'em." Dampé turned to a gravestone, "Now, about that favor lass…"

~SSSS~

Link finally awoke from an undisturbed, peaceful sleep. He yawned and slowly rose from the bed. He rubbed his eyes to release the weight from his eyelids. He pulled the curtain away and noticed the window across the shack; it was still nightfall. Soon Dampé's voice was heard and he walked in.

"Well, I got enough with one chap, but a cutesy, pampered brat is all I need—" he said to Navi and noticed Link. "Oy, y'er awake. How 'ya feelin' lad?" he said placing down his lantern and shovel back in their places.

Before Link could answer, his stomach vouched for him. Link grabbed his stomach and lowered his eyes in embarrassment. Dampé laughed, "Looks like y'er stomach beat 'ya to it. No worries lad, 'ya need one more fillin' before you can leave." With that, Dampé began to prepare Link's last meal.

Link sighed and sat back in great satisfaction, rubbing his stomach to show for it. He felt rejuvenated and ready to continue his journey.

"'Ya eat as much as a cow lad, where can 'ya stuff it all?" Dampé laughed. Navi giggled from his remark. Link smiled and was about to reply until something caught his attention through the corner of his eye. He turned to see his wooden shield he had lost during his unlikely encounter with the dark phantoms at the corner of the wall near the window with unbelieving eyes.

"Wha' is it lad?" Dampé asked. Link rose from his chair and picked up the shield. It looked exactly the same as the one he had lost.

"Oh that piece of lumb'ar. Hope 'ya like me rusty wood carvin' skills. I tried me bes' wih' 'da bes' wood I could fin'," he said.

Link happily rose the shield high with both hands, "Thank you Dampé! I love it!"

"Well good. Don't lose it now, cuz I ain't makin' 'ya another one, " he said, waving his finger to him and opening Link's magical traveler bag for him to put his new shield in. "I wen' ahead and gave 'ya a jar full of more in case you be hungry along 'ya journey too. Got to get me one of these magic travelin' bags me'self, "he said, shaking his head. He sealed the bag and handed it to Link.

"Alright, 'ya ready lad? 'Ya fairy frien' jus' tol' me 'ya'r in need of a even better shield to travel that Death Mountain now, aye?" Dampé asked. Link nodded, "Uhuh."

"Alright, follow me lad," Dampé said, taking his shovel and a large rope coiled together in hand while Link grabbed a lantern. Both headed outside. Link followed Dampe and suddenly turned to catch view of another enormous stone similar to the one at the entrance accompanied by two other ones at each side. He stared at the stones and wondered briefly, but returned his attention to Dampé.

"Never I thought thee day would come to do this," he mumbled. Navi and Link looked at each other with confusion. He stopped at the second to last gravestone that had flowers growing in front of it, dropping his things to the floor. He turned to Link with a serious expression suddenly painted on his face.

"But aye, there's fowl play at work here lad. I sense it in me skin," Dampé said as he looked with narrowed suspicious eyes around the wall and trees that barricaded the graveyard. Dampé began to push the large square stone to the side of the grave, revealing a deep hole in the ground.

"Normally, I don' like anyone touchin' these gravestones, or diggin' these graves other than me self… Today's ya'r lucky night. Since ya' need a shield, there's one down 'ere in a wooden ches'. It belonged to a hero of legend and 'as been passed down to those who fought to protect Hyrule, like you ya'self are goin' to do."

"How do I get down there?" Link asked.

"Tha's why I got this rope 'ere mate," Dampé said, and began to tie the thick rope around the gravestone. He made the final knot and ensured its tightness and secure line.

"But…it's dark down there. How will I see?" Link asked in concern and fear seeing the light of the lantern could not reveal further down the hole.

"No worries chap. You got y'er 'lil fairy frien' right here to light the way for 'ya. I'm sure she can bright up this 'ole place if she wanted to," Dampé complemented. Navi twinkled and flittered bashfully and turned a light pink color.

"Why, was that a blush there be if not me eyes deceive me 'lil one?" Dampé asked Navi. He displayed a playful side to him that seemed odd to Link, but glad it made him to see Dampé in such a manner. Beneath such a temper and hideous features, he was truly a kind and caring old man.

"Couldn't I just get rupees and buy that shield from the shop man?" Link asked with apprehension.

Dampé rested his hands on his hips and gave Link an off-handed look, "A fool ya'd be to buy that metal scrap from that junk shop! They don' make arms like they use to! I kno' that bloomin' hairy hog monkey be sellin' no good trinkets! They scratch and bend by gravel!" Link closed his eyes and winced at Dampé's yelling. He then felt something rest on his shoulder. Link opened his eyes to find it was Dampé's hand and saw the old gravekeeper softly smile.

"Trust me lad," and Dampé furrowed his brows and clenched his fist with determination and ferocity in his eyes as he continued, "that shield be hard, even against a Goron's blow and a volcano's boulderin' wrath." Link began to feel eagerness purge through him after Dampé's words.

"Trust him Link! I saw the chest where that has the shield you need!" Navi said. Without a second thought, Link nodded.

"Alright then!" Dampé exclaimed and launched the rope down the hole.

"I've always wanted to get me hands on tha' shield, but I knew one day other hands be needin' it. Ya'r lucky lad," Dampé chuckled, "Alright, ther' ya' go." Link nodded and grasped the rope.

"Navi," he called and pulled on the bottom of his green cap for Navi to fly in and began descending into the dark grave.

"Tug on tha' rope when ya'r ready to come up lad," Dampé said.

"Okay," Link called out. The dirt began to feel soggier the more he traveled further; however, dirt from the surface still manage to cover him after every pull he made to descend. He was glad to have Navi within his cap as the grains of dirt would have proven dangerous for her small stature. The temperature had amazingly cooled as well. It was beginning to prove difficult to push his feet solidly onto the gravel walls. He finally slipped and crashed into the grimy wall, smothering his arm and leg with mud. He nearly released the rope before grabbing hold again.

"Link! Are you okay?!" his fairy squeaked and lifted bottom of his hat to see Link.

Link breathed heavily from fear of falling into the unknown dark pit beneath him, "Y-yeah," he said in a trembling voice as he struggled to hold on to the rope.

"It's okay Link, I feel that we're getting close," Navi said and looked around at the moistened walls and fluttered out of Link's cap. "Okay Link, do what I say—"

"Oy! You alright lad?" Dampé called out, kneeling on all fours to see into the hole. "Whoah!" he yelled as his hand slipped. A small parcel of lose dirt crumpled its way down the hole. Link closed his eyes and lowered his head to avoid the dirt penetrating his eyes until he heard Navi squeaked. He quickly opened his eyes to see Navi falling into the dark abyss.

"Navi!" Link yelled in panic and immediately slid down the rope as fast as he could after his fairy. He miraculously caught up and dove to Navi, finally stumbling onto solid ground. He landed considerably hard on his side, and his head struck the ground swiftly that left a gash on the side of his forehead.

"Ahh!" he winced and curled himself, but refused to let go of Navi from his hands. "Are you okay, Navi?" he winced.

"I'm okay Link! Are you okay!?" Navi asked in concern. She flapped her wings and tried to fly, but only hopped in front of Link's face, and noticed a yellow light. She turned to see two torches ahead of them had been lit that she had not noticed before.

"Link!" Navi squeaked, and turned to see him, noticing the wound on his forehead. She tried flapping her wings to flutter but was unsuccessful. They were moist and spotted with bits of dirt and mud. "Link, we're almost there! The shield is in that chest!"

Link rolled to his back and pressed his hands to the both sides of his head, hoping to subdue the pain pounding in his head. Navi stared at Link, not knowing what to do. She had cursed her small stature and wished she had the curing powers of the legendary Great Fairy to help Link. All she could do was guide him with words.

"Link? It's…going to be okay," Navi asked, her concern growing by the second.

"It hurts Navi," Link winced in pain.

Navi looked at Link with desperation, "Does it hurt a lot?"

"Yeah," Link said, proving it difficult to speak.

"Just, try to relax Link, and breathe slowly and full breaths," Navi said, and tried to show him the proper way to breathe.

"Okay," was all he could say. Navi knelt and sat. She covered her face in her hands and tried to repress feelings of anxiety. She took a full breath and stared into the dark ceiling above her, praying to the Goddesses his injury was not grave. A few moments passed and Dampe yelled from above, "Lad! You alright?! What be keepin' ya?!"

Navi flapped her wings that were still unable to ascend her into the air. She looked up and tried to yell, but Dampé did not hear.

"Is everything alright lass?!" Dampé yelled. He waited for a reply but could not hear the fairy. Dampé scratched his head, wondering why the little fairy could not fly to inform him. A thought struck him immediately, "Twinkle your light las twice if nay and once for aye! Is Link hurt lass?! Is 'ya self?!" Navi flashed her light twice.

"Why I be damned," Dampé silently spat. Dampé scratched his head, frustrating of how he could communicate and what he could do. "Don't worry lass! I'll…I'll think o' somethin'!" Dampé said, when, in truth, he knew not what to do as he did not count for this to happen.

Navi sighed and returned to Link who slowly opened his eyes. "Link! Does it still hurt a lot?!" she asked.

"Not too much anymore," he said as he still held his hands to his head in place.

"Okay that's good," Navi sighed. "Now, try to get up, slowly."

"Turn on your side and get up slowly Link," Navi directed. Link did as he was told and still felt an ounce of pain in his head as he slowly came to sit. He laid a hand firmly over his head, hoping to ease the pain slightly as he slowly came to stand. The pain grew as he stood and he quickly knelt on his knees as he held on to his head with both hands.

"Link!" Navi squeaked. He opened his eyes and strove to go forward. He was close to obtaining the shield he needed to continue his journey. As much as the pain swelled in his head, he continued toward the chest. He finally reached the chest and laid his head against the top of the enormous chest. He breathed as Navi told him to and slowly opened the old dusted chest. Inside was a blue and silver shield decorated with symbols lying perfectly in place, as if waiting to be found.

"Navi, there it is," he struggled to say. He threw the lid back and slowly retrieved his new shield. It proved to be a bit heavier than what he had intended. He finally took it completely out of the shield and stumbled backwards as the amount of strength had sharpened the pain in his head.

"Link! Take it slower! You're making your pain worse!" she yelled. He breathed heavily and strapped the shield behind him.

"We're almost there, Navi. Dampé is worried. Let's…get back," Link struggled to say through the pain and scooped his fairy to return to the surface.

~SSSS~

"'Ya bloomin' carless whelp!" Dampé yelled. "'Ya had me worried!" Link sat stiff across Dampé with eyes shut and said nothing. Dampé breathed in frustratingly to decrease his tone and anger, which finally faded to sympathy. He removed the bandage from Link's forehead as the healing affects of the last red potion he had had taken affect.

"'Ya got t'a think lad. What if 'ya get 'ya self into a mess like that again? No one be comin' to help 'ya, and who'd be left to save Hyrule?" he said, calming his temper.

"Dampé, calm down," Navi said as she dried her wings, "he's still just a boy."

Dampé exhaled out his frustration, "No lass. Ye be travelin' down a dangerous journey, 'ya gotta start thinkin' what or who 'ya fightin' for so you can stay alive." Navi sighed, knowing he spoke truth.

Dampe continued, "'Ya already caused me enough trouble by have me worrin' about 'ya. One o' these days, I won' be around to help 'ya lad…"

Navi was taken aback by Dampé's comment that she stopped herself unknowingly. Link slowly opened his eyes and swallowed hard at his words. He did not want to cause Dampé any more trouble but the care he displayed towards him had made it so easy for him to rely on the old gravekeeper just as he would The Great Deku Tree. He did not want to be a burden to anyone. Seeing how bothersome it was becoming for Dampé to care for him finally sparked the question of his birth. Maybe that is why he did not have parents like Tak. His parents probably would have known he would be bothersome to care for. The thought began to stir tears in his eyes he tried to retain, but he could not. He felt embarrassed to have shed tears in front of another person other than Saria, or Navi, so he shut his eyes and covered them with his forearm.

"Hey!" Navi squeaked.

"Oh lad, well I di'n' mean to make 'ya cry. I'm not angry. I was jus' worried about 'ya," Dampé tried to explain and rubbed the back of his head.

"I'm sorry," Link said, as he tried to keep his voice calm over his pain.

Dampé looked at Link and sighed, "Nay, don' be. You're jus' a boy doin' a man's job. Is alright lad. A hero's journey is a loadfull f'er a boy y'ar age." He patted and rubbed Link's head. "You cry all 'ya want lad. There's nothin' wrong in lettin' go of pain."

Link remained silent for a brief moment. Dampé's words comforted him as The Great Deku Tree's would. Comfort was all he needed from such a burden he already began to feel from the journey thus far; comfort from a warm and paternal figure to make him feel secure from his worries and fears. Then, he dared to ask the question he never thought to ask as thoughts of Tak, the boy who was fortunate to have such figures in his life, "Would I have parents Dampé?"

"Parents? Well, how in blazes am I supposed to kno'?" Dampé said. Link looked down in disappointment.

"Oh, well 'ya mean if you had any parents?" Dampé asked. Link looked up at him and nodded.

"Of course lad. Everyone has parents. If not, you wouldn't o' been born," he explained. Link swallowed hard from that truth.

"Do you think…they wanted me?" Link asked.

Dampé rubbed the back of his head in uncertainty and slight frustration. He saw the eagerness in Link's eyes that provoked further difficulty to provide a justified answer. That look and the thought of his deed he was set out to carry granted the answer. Dampé smiled and laid a hand over his shoulder, "Aye. If they didn't, 'ya wouldn' be 'ere, on a hero's quest to save Hyrule now would 'ya?"

Link looked briefly awestruck, then smiled at the gravekeeper, as his answer swept his woes and doubts away. The sound of a cucco's crow notified the break of dawn. The two looked out the window to see the first lightings of day.

Dampé looked back to Link and declared with a soft smile, "Death Mountain awaits." The young hero strapped his new acclaimed shield and belongings, preparing to continue onto his destination. His shield was quite the heavy load, causing Link to stumble backward a step.

"Wait until y'a older lad, that shield be fittin' perfect on 'ya," Dampé confirmed. "I can't wait to see that blubberin' idiot see you with y'er new shield," Dampé said and released a hysterically hoarse laugh.

"Well, good luck lad," Dampé said, "if 'ya ever need anythin', I'll be 'ere." Link smiled and quickly hugged the old gravekeeper. Dampé was taken off guard by the gesture, but returned the embrace without hesitation. Navi laid a kiss on the old man's forehead. "Ahhhh, well, now, be off with 'ya you scoundrel," Dampé said humorously to Link. Link chuckled and headed out the door. Navi waved to Dampé who waved back. Link ran down the brick path and stopped behind the grand stone at the entrance. He looked back at the gravestone where he had retrieved his shield. "What's wrong Link?" Navi asked. He slowly made his way to the stone without answering. Navi did not follow and merely stared as Link walked over to the gravesite. A brief feeling came over him that compelled him to make his way back to the stone. Link stared at the gravestone with wonder. He looked at his new shield and back to the gravestone. A sudden sense of kinship had awakened in his heart. He did not understand why the sudden feeling arose, but he embraced that profound feeling that filled him nonetheless. With that, Link became ignited, turned to set out onto his next destination and called out to his fairy, "Let's go Navi!"