Author's Note: Back again! Like with 24, this will be entirely an interlude, and will be in Link's perspective. Anyway, this will veer away from the main story a little bit in terms of how the Goht fight goes, and is a lot closer to the manga as I think it is a worthy battleground and I loved reading it. Also, my "one chapter a week" schedule may not be carrying on for much longer as college starts up again soon and so trying to do 3 A levels, retake 2 exams, pretty much learn another language, and also get a chapter out a week will certainly be too draining; but I will try and write where and when I can; I love it too much!

"Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose."

~William Cooper~

Girl of the Dream

Chapter 11: Bargaining

Link was dreaming; he was sure of it.

Ever since he had managed to switch the electricity back on for the Smithy, something in the distance had caught onto his attention. He instantly didn't want to leave Zelda or Tatl behind in case they became worried and set out after him or the power went out again, but not only did he fear that it was a prowling monster, his eyes were so entranced by the looming figure that he set out after it before he could even think twice.

He waded through the storm after the figure, surprised when he found that he was being led somewhere. Link's mind constantly screamed for him to turn back and give up such a wild chase. What if they're trying to help? another side demanded. They could help, and if not then it will be one less threat to think about... And when he realised that he was bargaining with himself, he almost laughed aloud.

The figure, who constantly stayed at the same distance away from Link for the entire journey, waited patiently for him to catch up each time that the snow protruded through another layer of his clothing. They lead him up a mountain pass and climbing up icy crags at certain points to continue ascending. In those moments Link thanked Farore that they had prepared beforehand. Even though he was growing weary and blackness clawed viciously at his vision, Link's inner determination and adrenaline kept him fighting.

When his mind momentarily shut off, it was up to Link's body to carry out without protest. It was a valiant effort as he made his way further up the Mountain, sometimes even forgetting why he was doing this and where Zelda and Tatl were. At this point, the freezing temperatures had frostbitten his memories of the Smithy and let them wither away; sometimes even memories further back and in Hyrule disappearing from his grasp. And yet, despite this, the shell of his body carried on; unaware of the snowstorm picking up.

The figure bought him through numerous tunnels and then onto a tiny plateau leading into a cavern. Link trudged inside, gasping back into reality when his boots were covered with warm water; to him it was scalding. He cried out and staggered away, falling down and thankfully onto the edge of the water. As his feet continued to stay in the water, he soon adjusted and craved the heat. Tugging off his gloves, Link delved his hands into the water and forced feeling back into his extremities. Just as he was about to sink deeper into the water, despite the fact that it would drench his clothes and skin, a voice stopped him.

"The soaring one said the one who could see me would be arriving soon..." it said quietly, as if daring to be hopeful. "Are you them?" Link forced back a cry of shock as he drew his blade and rushed to his feet, slightly disorientated from the cold still. A floating spirit was before him in the image of a Goron, one that had been fatally slashed across the stomach. Tribal beads hung from around his neck, grey hair black at the roots. Stark dark eyes bored into the Hero's blue orbs, the former's gauntlet covered hands hesitant to reach out to Link.

The latter swallowed thickly. "D-Darunia?"

The Goron was confused. "No. I am Darmani the Third; leader of the Goron Village in the Mountains here. I have the blood of proud Goron Heroes running through me. O-Or did... but I was a veteran of my people when I lived." He laughed. "I'm surprised you didn't run."

The Hero chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "It's, um, not the first time I have encountered the dead, and you aren't nearly as bad." Link was unsure whether he was hallucinating or not, yet didn't have the conscious mind to question it. "When d-did you die?" Darmani the Third tried to keep himself calm, but alas could not. He bawled into his arm, and Link instantly regretted the question. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you! You're just like someone else I know; proud and strong. I'm sure you were a pretty good dancer like he was... he never wanted to miss out on music from the Forest."

Music of the Forest drifted into his subconscious, and Link couldn't help but feel melancholic himself. He hadn't had a chance to think about Saria since he left; he missed her terribly.

Darmani lowered his arm, tears streaking down his translucent face as a grin cracked across his visage. "I was the best dancer in Termina, boy, and don't you question it." They both smiled at each other as the spirit drifted down to the ground, resting his stony chin onto his palm. "Everything was fine until the Mountains shifted and we began freezing to death. I marched off to Snowhead, desperate to fight off the supposed demon there that kept this cold over us... but that Goht... it knocked me straight into the blizzard winds and I was tossed into the valley..." His smile had long since faded. "I cannot rest now... not whilst my people freeze to death because of my failure..."

"Darmani..."

The spirit somehow managed to grab Link's shoulders. "The soaring one told me that you could use magic!"

"S-Soaring one?"

The Goron nodded, desperate as he bargained for everything that he needed, "The bird that has been following your presence up the Mountain so that I could find you!" Link's eyes widened as he thought of the Sage of Light, Rauru, who took on the form of an owl in his previous journey; could they be one and the same? But before he could think on it, the Goron literally shook him from his thoughts. "I beg you! Please... bring me back to life with your magic!"

And as much as the Hero didn't want to say it, all he could say was, "I have magic... but I can't mess with the balance in that way... I-I'm so sorry, Darmani... but I can't bring you back."

The Goron leaped away as if he had been burnt, saying nothing whatsoever. "Y-You can't...?" he breathed in sheer disbelief. "Then why would the soaring one like you to me? To mock me? What makes you so heroic?" Link lowered his head, wondering the same thing himself. Over the course of his journey through Hyrule to defeat the Gerudo King, Ganondorf, he had often asked his Fairy partner, Navi, what made him the Hero that everyone relied on. She usually said the same thing; he wasn't selfish, he was strong and caring, and had a resolve that no one else possessed. But he rarely believed her; only becoming who he believed was the Hero when he defeated the Gerudo King.

He shrugged, lacking confidence suddenly. "Not much... I'm good with a sword and I can play a few songs. I'm not really the Hero that is needed anymore..."

Darmani slightly regretted his decision to question the boy, however was too depressed by the news to apologise. Then, when he thought more of his words, he realised just exactly what Link had said. "You play songs?" Link, surprised, nodded silently. "Will you... will you play a song for me? You can do that much for a weak Goron like me, huh?"

The Hero went to protest, but said nothing; knowing that he would not be listened to. Instead, Link was thankful that he took the Ocarina back from Zelda as he placed it to his lips. He didn't feel in the right mood to play Saria's Song despite how much the Gorons loved it, mainly because thinking back to his beloved friend sent pangs through his heart. Alternatively, he played the song that reverted him from his Deku form back to his natural human form; the Song of Healing. It was a solemn piece that filled his heart with pain and hope, but Link pushed on despite what it caused in his heart.

For the Goron leader, however, he was filled with so much emotion within the first few seconds that he released a moan of agony. And, as Link closed his eyes, a scene played out behind his eyelids. Darmani was a witness to this sight too as he looked out to the Brothers and Sisters that he loved so dearly as they cheered for them. They had not forgotten him, nor did they want his legacy to die. At the time, they knew that he was dead, but to Darmani they acted as if nothing had happened to him. He bawled without hesitation as they all crowded around him, encouraging him on into the Spirit Realm.

The cries of a child suddenly caused Darmani to rear up and the group of rock folk to part. The Elder was holding a tiny Goron child in his frail arms, their cries hushing as they found Darmani. The two embraced tightly, and the child whispered into his ear, "I'll see you soon, Darmi... I'll see you soon..."

And in that moment, he understood what he had to do.

As they two hugged and cried, Darmani's Soul merged with his tears and separated, solidifying into something so bright that no one could look at it. Link was broken out of the song and sight with a cry, and it took his quick reactions not to drop his instrument. At his feet lay a Mask with Darmani's face, and with the memories of Palus' son rushing to the front of his mind, the Hero understood. Before he had silenced himself from the cries of pain that he knew would come, however no one was there and so Link refused to waste the Magic that he had been gifted with.

He smiled ruefully for a moment; he was so alone.

Then he put the Mask on.

The pain was indescribable, and sent him to his knees in a fraction of a second. Not only was the physical agony of bones growing and his skin being replaced with hard rock more than he had ever felt in his life, but the emotion turmoil of both Darmani and his people was taking over his consciousness and added to the pain tenfold. He wasn't sure whatsoever how long it lasted for, but when his screams finally faded away, he rose to his feet with a raw throat. His body was now that of a Goron, and both the idea of returning to Zelda and Tatl in this state as well as helping the deceased Goron leader was weighing heavily on his shoulders.

He had a new body, had two jobs to complete alone.

Could he do it?

"Yes, you can," came a voice from the back of his mind. "I leave my undying feelings with you For the Goron Village, I have asked of you assistance..."


He hadn't been clambering down the Mountain for long before he found her.

Darmani had sensed the presence of an Elder tucked away in a cave along with two other "outsider" presences. Link was almost certain that the other two were Zelda and Tatl. It meant that he had been far too long and hadn't left a sign that he was fine; given the circumstances he couldn't, but he still was irritated at himself. Did he have a right to be? He wasn't sure, but he was anyway; whether due to the power exerted in Snowhead or not, though, Link wasn't sure.

He followed what the deceased Goron told him, and he covered ground much quicker with a guide, even if it wasn't his guide, Tatl or Navi. By the time he arrived at the cave entrance, he sensed the presences too. He stepped inside, instantly catching the attention of the three people inside. His heart jumped to his throat when he saw Tatl and an elderly looking Goron, but his were on the other woman and how haggard she looked. Zelda's skin was paler than the storm behind him, her extremities crimson and her lips blue; she was barely awake.

"D-Darmani?" the Elder cried. "Do my eyes deceive me?!"

But Link wasn't looking at him.

He was only looking at Zelda as she muttered something under her breath, her voice weak as she collapsed to the frozen ground beneath them. The Hero went into action; scooping up Zelda and the Elder. She clearly had little time and had to be warmed up before she passed on, and the Elder didn't look any better. Despite the Fairy's shouts and protests from the Elder, he moved swiftly back into the fray.

Show me the way, Darmani...

And he did just that.

With the Goron Elder quaking in one arm and Zelda unconscious in the other, Link thanked Darmani for allowing him to borrow his genetics in order to help the Gorons; he could help them by defeating Goht and protect his companions from the frigid cold at the same time. He could finally be useful in this Province and not fear the cold yet; not when he had a job to do. He waded through the snow with ease, squinting through the white blanket of ice as he made his way up from the thick ice lake and kicked away whatever Wolfos came near him.

The bridges sent jolts of worry through his body as he crossed them, the whistling wind combined with the rickety wood that made Link wonder about why Zelda came all this way for him. Of course he would have done the same for her in a heartbeat, but he merely assumed that she didn't have all of her memories back yet and so could only remember the better days before it all changed. He dreaded the day that the worst memories hit her and he would have to answer those questions. Goddesses, she would surely hate him then.

It's me, Tatl, he thought as hard as he could, hoping that she would hear him.

And thankfully she did.

"Link?" He nodded, and Tatl gasped loudly. "But you... how did you...?"

Darmani, the leader of the Gorons, died fighting the monster in Snowhead Temple, and now his dying wishes have given me his form to finish what he started. And once Zelda and the Goron Elder are safe, I will do just that, he explained in his head, realising how easily he had just accepted it. Tatl snuggled close to his face, his signature hat present and further proving who he was. I'm glad to see you, Tatl...

She grinned. "Me too... I'm mad that you left, but... I suppose you had your reason..."

You've changed, Tatl. I would have a bruise by now, he thought.

"Hit a rock? Ha! I think not!" was the Fairy's only response, causing a smile to stretch over Link's face. He was partially angry that Zelda and Tatl had left and battled the elements for hours, though at the same time not only could he chastise himself for thinking it because he would do the same thing, but Link was quick to aim his anger at his own self; they went after him, and now the woman he cared for was unconscious and fighting for her own life because of his. The last time he had carried her like this, he hadn't been strong enough to protect her, and this time he had simply been far too careless and now they were all paying the price for it.

Using Darmani's memories, Link bought Zelda and the Goron Elder to the remote Goron Village that he barely saw through the snowstorm. None of the inhabitants were outside for obvious reasons, the small huts and stone monuments covered in thick layers of frost and ice. He thanked the spirit of the deceased Goron for leading him to the main building where most of the Gorons would congregate for gatherings and prayer. It was a gigantic Shrine, one that was drastically warmer than what it was outside, but the few Gorons that were present were shivering madly and clasping their large hands over their heads from the shrill cries of a child.

But before Link could investigate, they all turned on him.

"D-D-Darmani?" one of them gasped, their body heaving with shudders. "B-But you w-were..."

"I have to complete my duty to you all," Link clarified, allowing the Elder to stand back on his feet again. "Now please take the Elder and this woman to warmth; the Elder is important for our future, as is she, and I will hold you responsible if anything happens to either of them." Not only did he hate calling Zelda by her gender instead of her name, but having to be so stern with the Gorons was something that Link had never done before. He was the Sworn Brother of Darunia back in Hyrule, and even without that title the rock folk were always so calm and laid back; it was sad but necessary for the future.

One of the older Gorons hobbled up to him, taking his hands tightly. "I-I-I do not know why... you are here... m-maybe we are all d-dreaming... but please... the E-E-Elder's son... please quieten him... he j-just wants you..."

He nodded firmly. "I will... now think about yourself, Elder Petram. Find some warmth in this winter. I will go after the behemoth that did this to us and end it once and for all."

"Oh Darmani!" Petram, whose name only came from Darmani, cried. "W-We are indebted to you!"

Nerves doubled in Link's gut as he made his way up the inner spiral and towards the main room at the top where a small child sat atop the large seat, presumably where audiences were taken by the leader, and bawled his eyes out. Swallowing thickly, Darmani's subconscious called out to Link when he spotted a drum resting beside him. Instant memories flooded the Hero's senses as he saw the Goron Elder playing a sweet lullaby for his son before the latter went to sleep. It took him a moment to figure out the notes in his head, but Link pushed for himself to endure.

He swept up the drum into his strong arms and sat down beside the child, testing out the notes before slowly playing the song, causing the child to instantly rear up and stop crying; tears streaming down his face. "T-That song... that's Daddy's song..." Within moments, the child began to softly hum along to the song as Link carried on playing the soft tune. The other Gorons were yawning and swaying to the steady beat, and in minutes the child was out cold; snoring softly. Everyone, even Link, breathed a deep sigh of relief; the child was too worried about the Elder to realise that Darmani was right before him. As the other Gorons came to ask questions, Link ushered them outside.

"Please, you must not ask questions, Brothers," he said quietly, being careful not to wake the child. "Once he wakes up, take him to his father. For now, you must nurse both him and the woman I bought back to health, and once spring returns to our lands, a man will appear to take her home. Do not forget my legacy, Brothers, and fight on as if nothing could hurt your spirits." They all grinned at him, causing them all to embrace. But the Hero was both anxious to leave and determined to not let Darmani's legacy die. As the pulled away, the Gorons bowed deeply and allowed him to leave, stopping others who called out to him.

They understood.

He understood.

It was time.


The Hero was running as fast as he could, his Fairy partner refusing to let him go alone after "what happened last time," following after the directions that the distraught deceased Goron leader gave him. Link didn't want to but Darmani the Third back through such horrid memories, but otherwise Link would have to find his own way there and potentially perish before he even found the monster that did this to the rock folk that they both cared for deeply. The storm seemed to increase tenfold the closer Link came to the Temple, and he did his best to steel his nerve and determination; he would win this fight, and he would do so for everyone who had been hurt by the creature.

The Hero slowed into a stop as a large plateau sprawled out around him, snow and ice latching to his sides. At the end of the plateau, a thin sheet of ice stretched across the abyss between where Link stood and the entrance to the Temple, the wind whistling so harshly that Tatl was ready to pull back her partner before he did anything stupid. Spikes of frost stuck out from around the Temple's structure, a platform at the top looking too small to be stable. However, as Link took a step forward, a figure made itself known.

The masked, mechanical monster rose up out of seemingly nowhere, the mammal covered in thick armour made from steel that gleamed in the slightly blotted sun. Cogs and wiring were rarely covered as they ticked into life from the movement, large horns twisting out and reminding Link of Ganon's beast form. This was the monster that killed Darmani, that held the horrible winter over the aptly Snowhead, who caused Zelda to fall into a hypothetical state, and now Link was sure that he would defeat it for all who were harmed.

"Goht," Link growled, Darmani's presence taking over for just that word. He planted his feet into the ground, sinking into the blanket of whiteness. The deceased Goron leader provided Link with memories of the last battle with Goht. Darmani had chased the creature from Goron Village to the entrance of the Temple when Goht tried to attack their dwelling, however the beast had charged up to Darmani whilst he was recovering from the trip and wasn't strong enough to fend it off; toppling off of the edge.

At the back of the Hero's mind, the Goron was still filled with overwhelming anger and shame.

Goht reared up, clearly remembering his form, and raced forwards, attempting to do what it did last time and remove its adversary from existence for real. Link bought his mind to wrangling the animals on Lon Lon Ranch in his time away from the Castle as well as spending time with the Gorons in the City; both he and Darmani had the combined strength to hold Goht back, so now he needed to hone that strength. Finally feeling the absence of his Triforce piece, Link delved deep into the silence of his mind without its help and readied himself.

The ginormous creature barreled into him, instantly pushing Link back further and further and off to one side. He opened his eyes with a yell and held his ground as Tatl cried out his name. He could feel the ground becoming weaker and soon to drop off into the cliffside that Darmani fell from. And yet, Link knew deep down that he was stronger than the Goron leader was then; he had Darmani's help and didn't give chase to Goht beforehand. The beast's horns cut deep into his palms as his muscles bulged from the strain, but after agonising minutes of a standoff, the Hero found himself to be winning the struggle. "Quickly!" Tatl yelled from above. "Push it over the edge!"

"I'll go with him!" Link responded aloud, the goat like monster finally being shoved back a little. "I can't risk it!" His Fairy sighed in agreement, instead shining her light into the creature's face in hopes of distracting it. Thankfully it worked, and Link could use his inner strength to force Goht away and into a crumpled mess on the ground. The snow seeped into its system, causing electrical sparks to tumble out of its body as Goht rose back up to its feet. Link prepared himself for another standoff, surprised when the beast spun around and dashed away in the direction of Snowhead Temple.

A part of him didn't want to go after the scared creature; after what happened to Odolwa, he didn't want to hunt something that may have started out as innocent.

But then he told himself one thing, It hasn't given me a choice.

The shard of his Soul that never had a childhood leaped into his heart at the idea of rolling after Goht in a form that he always envied and wanted to do, but he quelled it with a smile as he asked for Darmani's help. The path the monster followed was treacherous at best, winding up to and around the Temple, leading up to the platform at the top that the Hero had noted when he first arrived. Rolling only gave him split seconds to change his direction as his vision was masked by the ground and the snow, and in the time it took for him to adjust he had almost slipped off the edge many times.

"Be careful," was all his partner could fearfully say.

As Link followed Goht, Darmani could feel a strength growing inside of him. The emotion of seeing the monster that killed him again helped the Hero fend off its attacks, but now he had the hope of returning spring to his people through the one who was winning the fight, and that alone was enough to draw forth a power that had lay dormant in the Goron Hero for his entire life; he no longer had to bargain for his survival or that of his people; he and his people were free.

With this burst of emotion, spikes grew out of Link's body to give him both better traction and speed without harming him in the slightest. He caught up to Goht with more ease as the path continued to grow thinner around the Temple, the spikes scratching and clawing at the creature's inner machines, causing it to cry out as smoke billowed out. The path soon faded into the platform atop the Temple's summit, and the Hero knew what he had to do.

The wind clawed at the gaps in the crags across his form, causing him to shudder greatly as the wounded Goht prepared for one final attack. The platform was small and covered in ice, giving him little space to work with as he debated what to do without falling off the edge himself. Tatl whispered encouragement into his ear as Goht dragged itself to its feet, one eye having fallen shut whilst snow slipped into the scars Link had made. It was a sorry sight, and so the Hero decided to end this for everyone and Goht.

The creature dived forwards in a sacrificial attempt to take both it and Link out together, but the latter easily expected it. The journey up to the top of Snowhead was taking its toll on the Hero, but he refused to let his guard down. He held out his arms and awaited the collision, wrapping his fingers around the thick horns and spinning his body around. His heart leaped into his chest when he saw nothing but an abyss below him, but summoned all the strength he had and he threw Goht over the edge, staggering away and onto the ground before he fell with it.

It was done.

It was over.

"You can rest, Darmani," he whispered.

A column of light twirled up from the blackness that Goht tumbled into, and the Mask that it once wore; now cracked and damaged like Odolwa's; flew up and into Link's hands. He had no response like Zelda had in Woodfall Temple, but the dark power that was once in it now lay dormant forever; replaced by something far better. He could already feel the frigid cold fading away and the storm letting up. The ice was already beginning to melt at his feet as he stood. "You did it, Link!" said his Fairy partner excitedly. "Now the Gorons are safe and Darmani can rest!"

He grinned. "And another Guardian is safe. Hopefully They can help Zelda recover before we go back in time. What Province was next?"

But Tatl only laughed. "You're so quick to leave! Let's at least enjoy the spring here before it goes back." His smile faded. Tatl sighed. "The next Province is the Ocean, but let's not dampen it. Let's wake Zelda up and see how good Gorons can dance." Her words seemed to lift his spirits, if only a little, and as they made their way down the pathway, Link explained how the Gorons he knew were the best dancers in Hyrule.

But at the back of his mind, he still dreaded what memory Zelda would recover next.

She's going to hate you... She's going to hate you!


Author's Note: And there you go! It seemed rather rushed in my eyes, but I just want it up. Hopefully it came out better than what I think it came out as, so drop a rate and review if you haven't already because that really helps me out. Next time we will have the memory, which I am rather excited for, and the end of the Snowhead Province. I am really excited for the Ocean; I have many plans! So I hope you will join me for it! :)

~RandomButLoved~