*Well, it took me a bit longer to write this that I had originally hoped, but I got it done. Yay! I hope you enjoy. I do not own Legend of Zelda.*
Chapter 10
On horseback, it didn't take very long to reach the spring. they had stopped at a simple grove to gather fruits and after two days of riding, had reached the clear water spring. They all dismount and Link walks up to the spring, pacing in front of it.
Out loud, Link says, "The legend behind the spring states there is an oracle." That much was evident. Trying to remember, he said, "The oracle would respond to those who provided her with the key…"
Jen rolled her eyes, "Well, we are without a key of any sort."
Mike wasn't so sure, "I don't remember the legend very well, but I do know it was started as a story told to the royal children."
Jen sighed, "Then it's most likely something only royalty would know."
Melody walked up to the spring and knelt by the edge, "Most of the stories told in the castle were in the form of song."
"How…?" Mike shook his head, "Never mind." Instead, he asked, "Do you think how they were told has something to do with it?"
Jen mused, "Well, if the legends were sung, then maybe the key is a tune?"
Link glanced at Melody briefly, "Then it would have to be a tune only someone of royal blood would know."
Mike crossed his arms, "None of us are of royal descent. We wouldn't know a thing about it."
Link was silent. Jen, on the other hand, said, "It can't be something too difficult, if it's taught to children."
Mike said something in response, but Melody wasn't listening. Her eyes scanning the area, she spotted Don lurking in the trees. She considers telling the others, but decides against it. Don mimed playing an ocarina and that was the only thing that kept her from alerting Link and Mike to his presence.
With only a bit of hesitance, Melody pulled out the ocarina, still kneeling by the edge of the water. She brought the instrument to her lips and began to play a tune: Zelda's Lullaby. As soon as she starts playing, a wave of calm seemed to fall over the clearing. Jen and Mike fell silent and she could feel all eyes on her. She continued to play, looping back to the beginning when it came to an end.
As she started from the beginning again, the spring seemed to glow and a figure emerged from the spring. Melody closed her eyes, turning all her attention to the notes she was playing.
The figure spoke, the voice female and as soft as silk, "Why have I been summoned?"
Link cast a glance at Melody, but her eyes remained closed. He cautiously approached the waters, "My name is Link. These are my friends...Princess Zelda has been taken. Please, if you can tell us anything that could help us find her…"
The oracle was silent for a moment. When she spoke, it wasn't to Link, "Has it really been 50 years…?"
Jen sat down. a figure had risen from the spring. She had no idea what was going on. Mike glanced at her, but spotted Don in the trees. Figuring Link could hold a conversation, he slipped away.
Approaching Don, Mike drew his weapon, "What are you doing here?"
Don acknowledged Mike with a brief glance before returning his gaze to Melody, "She plays beautifully, does she not?"
Mike responded evenly, "She's a minstrel, she had better play beautifully. Now, answer my question."
Don ignored him, "She certainly is talented."
Mike angled his sword at Don, "Leave. You have no reason to be here."
Don turned his attention to Mike, "I have quite a few reasons." Returning his gaze to Melody, he added, "And if you say one thing more, I may have to silence you."
"A bit arrogant, don't you think? You can't possibly think - " Mike got no further.
Don waved his hand toward Mike and the hunter was thrown back, hitting a tree. Mike collapsed, certainly dazed, but not unconscious. The mage sighed, "You are the arrogant one."
By that point, Jen had noticed Mike was no longer with them. Seeing Don throw Mike into a tree, she whispered, "Link...do you think you can hurry it up?"
The Oracle turned her attention to Jen, "You dare to summon me and show me disrespect!"
Link was quick to respond, "Please, we seek your guidance."
Jen retreated a few steps and cast another glance to where Don was. Melody was still playing, but opened her eyes. The Oracle practically ignored Link and approached Melody, listening, "You are wise for one so young." The Oracle closed her own eyes, just listening.
Jen whispered to Link, "What's going on?"
Link watching a moment, before answering, "It's the music...When Melody started playing, a kind of calm feeling settled over the clearing…"
The Oracle turned to Link, "Yes, music is a powerful thing and she plays quite well." After a moment, she said, "Listen well, hero, for I will only say this once." The only sound were the soft rise and fall of the notes Melody played. Eventually, the Oracle spoke again:
On highest mountain and deepest cave
In desert rock you are sure to find
Stones of silver and gold on a wave
Walk on past and leave them behind
.
Round once and round again
From anger you must refrain
To the door of stone
You must walk alone
To seek in blindness
.
To give light to darkness
The path you shall tread
Is one of the dead
.
When the paths end
You'll have a friend.
The Oracle stopped and Jen asked, "What does that even mean?"
Link ignored her, repeating the words to himself before addressing the Oracle again, "Thank you for your time."
The Oracle bowed her head, "Be safe, hero." She began to go back to the spring, but paused, "Melody, to you I have something more." A short pause, "He is not an enemy in the common sense. Talk to him and he can be swayed to see reason."
Melody didn't know what she was talking about. She didn't even know how the Oracle had known her name. The Oracle reached the spring and disappeared and Melody stopped playing.
Link asked, "Are you alright?"
Melody nodded and cast a glance in Don's direction and notices Mike sitting against a tree, "I'm fine, but I'm not too sure about Mike."
Link followed her gaze. Spotting Don, he drew his sword and a second later, Don was in front of him. Jen looked between Link and Don. The mage had just disappeared and reappeared to cross the distance from the trees to the spring. She didn't hang around though and ran to Mike.
Don only glances at Link's sword, clearly not threatened, "So, you know where Zelda is now, but can't you get to her?"
Link glared at him, "We'll find her and stop you."
Don smirked, "Will you? You are weak. Even if you can reach the mountain, how do you expect to defend yourself from magical attacks and get by the barriers?"
Melody could clearly see Link growing irritated and stood, placing herself between the two of them, "That's enough." To Link, she said, "We need to go."
Don took a few steps back, "I'll leave you to ponder your riddle, but this won't be the last time we meet." He disappeared.
Link turned his attention to Melody, "What were you thinking?"
She turned away from him and walked to the horses, "I was thinking you were going to get yourself killed. Now isn't the time to be fighting. We got the information you wanted, let's put it to use."
Mike and Jen rejoined them, but it was Mike who spoke, "For once I agree with her. Let's go."
Link muttered something unintelligible under his breath, but also went to the horses. Once they were all mounted up, they set off away from the spring and toward a village they knew to be close.
*And so shall end this chapter. I have the next chapter outlined, but I don't know when I'll have time to write it. I have 3 tests before Finals and a 15 page research paper I need to do…Until next time.*