"Yeah, you got it!"

"Wait a minute, why did you throw your sword? Now we're going to have to fish that out."

"Eh, we've got the boomerang, it shouldn't be too hard."

With a winding arm, Saria threw her boomerang and retrieved Link's sword. The hilt had remained untouched by the lava, the blade was well heated, but still maintained shape.

"Wait a minute... is this the Kokiri sword?"

At the realization that he never returned the blade, red went to Link's face. He had completely forgotten where he had got the weapon, he just used it.

"Heh, all this time, I thought Mido had lost it, but turns out... it was you! You little rascal! Heehee!"

Saria gave Link a playful tug on the shoulder, and handed him back the blade.

"It's not like anybody used it anyway. I suppose it's doing more good in your hand than in that old chest."

"Um, Saria? That's nice and all, but aren't we forgetting something?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, the harp!"

The girl chucked the boomerang down toward the lava pit again, but when the boomerang returned with the piece of the instrument, the area around them brightened until all they could see was light. Soon, the glow died down, and their surroundings were transfigured. They found themselves on a small stone platform, surrounded by a seemingly endless ocean.

"Huh? What happened? I thought we were in a lava tube?"

A luminous being, a silhouette of light, floated before them.

"Wait, weren't we here before? When we collected the first piece of the harp?"

The figure spoke, its voice one of authority, but that of a woman. Her words echoed and boomed around them.

"Do not continue... you may... be... met...wi...th..."

"Wait, where are you going? Who are you?"

Mari's words were not heard, their surroundings faded out, and turned to the tunnels of Fire Breath Mine. All of a sudden, Saria's hands were met with a scalding sensation.

"Gyah!"

She dropped the piece of the great fairy harp, and held her hands in the air. Slowly, she looked at her palms to find that they were red and raw with pain. Apparently, the harp piece was still scorching hot from sitting at the bottom of a lava pit for at least a week.

"My hands! My hands! Agh!"

"Oooh, those are some pretty nasty burns... I probably should have realized that thing was going to be hot. Who was that person anyway? Why don't they want us to continue?"

"I don't know... it hurts..."

Link walked over and put a comforting hand on Saria's shoulder. With tears in her eyes, she looked over and realized that Link's arms and legs were covered in several smaller burn scars.

"Oh, you got pretty cooked too... didn't you?"

"Goodness! You're alive!"

Behind them, a familiar squeaking voice called out. Turning around, their eyes met with Rodergi, as amusing as ever with his burly disposition contrasting his high voice. Saria cracked a smile, though she was still overwhelmed with pain.

"You heroes really did it! You probably wouldn't believe me, but the heat has already began to drop. We've opened back up at least five more shafts thanks to you three!"

"That's great, Rodergi, but could you do us a favor?"

"Of course, anything!"

"Could you get us two red potions? These two got themselves cooked pretty good."

"Oh? I thought they were fireproof?"

"Fireproof isn't the same as lavaproof."

"Dear me, those do look like some rather nasty burns. Come, this way!"

"Woah-ho! You two actually did it! My mine is in full swing again thanks to you!"

"Yeah, you would not believe how chaotic it was down there. Lava flying this way and that way."

"You kids have certainly earned my respect! If you're ever in a pinch, just stop by here! What's mine is yours! Harhar! A little mining humor for you!"

Both Link and Saria chuckled at the pun, though only to be polite. The girl ran her fingers across her palms, her skin was as good as new. Red potions really did work wonders. Link's limbs were no longer covered in red marks either, he swung his legs freely over the side of his stone seat. Dartoga was enthusiastic, to say the least, to invite the children into his office after they had returned.

"Y'know, none of us had the guts to head down there, and here we are, getting shown up by a couple of kids! If you had told me two kids and a fairy were going to liberate us from the heat crisis, I'd have called you nuts! But the goddesses work in mysterious ways, eh?"

"Heh, don't we all know. Anyhow, sir, we'd hate to take advantage of your hospitality any longer, we have to get going!"

"Come now, it's nearly nightfall. Do you really want to run into somebody shifty out there? I insist you at least stay the night! We still have plenty of open bunks."

"Well, what do you two think?"

"I think I could use some sleep, how about you Link?"

With a yawn and the nod of his head, Link agreed with Saria.

"Then it's settled. You two will sleep in our bunks. I think you'll find our quarters most hospitable."

"Well I'm not sure if I'm surprised or disappointed."

"I know you've slept in rougher places sometime or another."

"If you can figure out when, please tell me. The mattresses are literally made of rock."

"At least they're flat rocks."

"Well, whatever. I'm so sleepy, I hardly think it will matter. Goodnight, Mari."

"Wait, Saria."

"Hm?"

"What you said earlier... that you came for Link, to get his help in thwarting some evil. Is this true?"

This conversation seemed pretty unavoidable. Saria sighed, and whispered a response.

"Yes, but Mari-"

"No, that's all I need to hear."

"But-"

"Get some sleep. We can talk about this in the morning. Goodnight, my little tree blossom."

"But... goodnight, my fairy friend."

Saria rested her head on her stone table, and drifted off to the world of dreams. As quietly as she could, Mari flew over to Link's resting place, and sighed.

"My my... what has my little girl gotten herself into?"

Mari rested her own head, and her glowing hue dimmed to a flicker as she too was took in by sleep.