"What the heck Saria!?"

"Wha-"

Both Saria and Link were met with quite a rude awakening, Mari's high voice screeching into their ears. Saria tried to roll over to get up, but it was then she realized something incredibly peculiar. She had her arms wrapped around Link. Both children seemed to make the realization at the same time, and jumped off the bed, though both landed on the hard floor in a heap.

"Just what in the goddesses names are you doing in Link's bed Saria?! What's gotten into you?!"

Saria tried to stand up to face Mari, this proved difficult, however, because Link sat on top of her. After a fair amount of tussling, the two got themselves separated and on their feet. Neither Link nor Saria had an idea what was going on, but the fairy before them seemed furious.

"What kind of a joke is this supposed to be?! You both know you're too young for any of that!"

Blush entered Link and Saria's faces when they realized the implications of Mari's words.

"I'm sorry Mari, I got scared and-"

"And what?"

"Well, I wanted to make sure Link was still here."

"So you just jumped in his bed?"

"It was the middle of the night, Mari! It was dark, and I was afraid..."

"Saria, I know you're not afraid of the dark."

"I didn't say the dark was why I was afraid."

"Then do tell, why were you afraid?"

"I... I had another nightmare."

"Oh?"

"It was Link... he... he was gone again... and my other friends... they..."

After recognizing the poor girl's emotional strife, Mari's tone and color softened.

"It's okay, Saria... I guess I am quick to jump to conclusions. Though next time, please don't just climb into Link's bed."

"I'm sorry... it just felt comforting to know he was right there."

Still half asleep, Link glared between his two friends. He wasn't sure whether to be flattered by the statement, or unsettled. Either way, everyone was up now, they may as well get moving. Link picked up his equipment and started for the way out, motioning with his hand for the others to follow.

"What time is it anyway? It's pretty hard to tell from the bottom of this cave."

Quietly as they could, in case anyone still lay asleep, the children made their way back towards the entrance of the cavern. When they reached the main stretch of the tunnel, they realized that they had left the fairy harp piece sitting out overnight.

"Whoops, somebody could've taken that through the night. Do you think it's still hot?"

"I guess there's only one way to find out..."

With cautious hands, Saria reached for the harp piece. She laid the tip of her finger on it, then pulled it away quickly. Just to double check, she slowly placed her hand on the surface of the instrument. No pain, it must've cooled while they slept. She reached out to pick the fragment up, and placed it carefully in Link's bag.

"There, now let's get back to Mandgrova!"

As they ran out the entrance of fire breath mine, Saria stripped off her fireproof tunic and sighed with relief.

"Finally! No more of this ugly old red! Green all the way! Heehee!"

Stowing both the tunics in his bag, Link drew out his ocarina and played Epona's song. Over hills and across rivers, the steed jubilantly ran. She stopped by Link's side and he gave her a few brushes with his hand. The heroes climbed atop the horse, and sped off towards Plurbiocris.

"Oh, you children are simply wonderful! Already you have found two pieces of the harp!"

Mandgrova placed the new piece next to the first piece, atop a pedestal in the middle of the dried fountain. The first was a emerald green, but the second was flame red.

"Quick question, miss."

"Of course dear, what is it?"

"Why are both the harp pieces different colors?"

"Each segment of the great fairy harp represents different aspects of nature, green represents terrain and the composition of it, red represents fire and energy, blue represents water and the life that flows from it, and purple represents the souls of all. Together, they combine, and create quite a powerful tool! This power, unfortunately, may prove to be Fairy Valley's demise."

"Wait, so there are blue and purple pieces too?"

"Yes, child. The blue resides in the mountain springs, and that is the piece you will pursue next."

"Mountain springs?"

Though inaudible, Link uttered a groan. There was always that part of an adventure, and this was it. Of course there was a water temple.

"Atop the white mountains of the north, a there is an underground spring. Oddly enough, it seems to attract many Zora up into the harsh conditions, but they love the heated water. I'm afraid they're rather... exclusive, with who they let in. You may need to issue a degree of stealth."

"Heh, that could be easy, Link here is really quiet! I'm not too sure about myself though."

"You will find a way, girl. You will find a way."

"We will, Mandgrova. We will find the other two pieces of the harp, and restore the life and prosperity to your fountain and Plurbiocris!"

"Thank you, fellow fairy. When all this is over, I will not forget the dedication you have shown."

"Oh, one last thing."

"Yes?"

"Is there any reason that after collecting both of the pieces of the harp, a voice should appear to us?"

"Oh? Whatever do you mean?"

"It was sort of hazy like a dream, but both times we collected a piece of the harp, we were put before some otherworldly figure."

"Yeah, and she tried to tell us some stuff too."

"Most odd... I am not sure why that would be, but I will do my best to answer when you return. Good luck on your quest, heroes."

As Link Saria and Mari all approached the exit to the town, they stopped to look around. It seemed every other time they left, the happy mask salesman would just appear from thin air, this time, however, he was nowhere to be found. Yet, whenever they started out the gate, a familiar voice still greeted them from behind.

"Those tunics serving you good?"

Was this going to become a thing? Expecting the happy mask salesman, the three turned around, but instead, they found the petite figure of Martha.

"Martha! Goodness, you scared me for a second!"

"Who were you expecting greenie, the mask guy?"

"Actually, we kind of were, how did you know?"

"He likes hanging around this gate, and from what I can tell, he's taken quite the liking to you three."

"Has he? Man that guy gives me the creeps."

"He's nice, but kind of weird, I like him. He left town not too long ago though. I think he's looking for more masks."

"Well, good riddance. Did you stop us for anything more than small talk?"

"I heard you three were going to Zora Mountain. I thought you might want help."

"Wait, how did you-"

"Magic relics, remember? No, just kidding... I overheard you three talking while you were looking at your map."

"My, you sure do love butting into things, don't you little girl?"

"Eh, it's a hobby. Like catching fairies. That one is pretty fun... unless you're a fairy."

"You people wonder why there aren't any fairies in your city, it's because you have no manners."

"Sheesh, cool it, pixie, it was just a joke."

"Pixie? You little-"

"Calm down, Mari, she's trying to help us."

"Anyway, I figured you three could use a hand. You really don't look equipped for the cold. A pair of shorts, a shirt, and a turtleneck might work in the woods, but it won't work on the mountains, greenie."

"Wait, it's going to be cold?"

"Duh, yeah. How old are you? Don't you know all mountains are cold?"

"Two hundred and sixty eight, I think, give or take a decade. The only mountain I've ever been to was blazing hot."

"Two hundred and sixty eight? Nice, I'm five hundred and twenty two.

"Woah, you must be very wise then!"

The sarcasm of Martha's comment was completely lost on Saria. In a mocking tone, the brunette joked to Link.

"I see why you keep her around, she's adorable."

"What?"

"Nothing. I grabbed some coats 'n stuff, it should be about a day's walk from here. Do you want my help or not?"

"Well, I don't know. What do you think, Link?"

Stroking his blonde hair, the boy processed the question. This girl was a local, she might have knowledge of the terrain, she was also offering warm clothing, how could they turn that down? Link stuck out his hand, and Martha shook it giddily.

"Awesome! I get to go on an adventure with forest kids! This is gonna be fun, just you wait!"

"Alright, c'mon, let's get going. It's noon, if we hurry, we could make camp at the foot of the mountain."

"Hah! You won't get there by night on foot! Even if you walked all night, it'd probably be sunrise by the time you get there."

"Who said we were going on foot?"

"Wait, can you use your magic to make us fly, miss fairy?"

"Uh, no. Link has a horse."

The boy played Epona's song, and Martha watched in sheer awe as the horse's golden brown fur reflected in the light while she galloped over to Link.

"You have... a horse?! Today just gets better and better."

"Are you sure we can seat three of us on that thing, Link?"

Giving one of his normal blank gazes, Link climbed on Epona's back and held a hand out to Martha.

"Yes! Let's ride like the wind!"

"Wait, Saria hasn't gotten on yet."

"Whoops, almost forgot greenie."

After Saria climbed on top, all three were seated, with Link in front, Martha in the middle, and Saria on the back, with Mari in her hair. Saria really did not like sitting in the rear, she felt like she could slide off, since she wasn't hanging onto anything. Since Martha was sitting in the middle, she got to hang onto Link, who most certainly was not falling off. This left Saria slightly irritated with the other girl, but she put aside her agitation and held onto Martha's shoulders. The boy gave Epona a light whip with his hand, and the horse full of people took off towards Zora Mountain.

Author's Note

Is this story getting too complicated?
Since I already know what is going on, I can't really tell.
If anyone is having a hard time following things, feel free to ask me a question.
(Keep in mind that if you ask about a spoiler, I might not answer the question directly.)

Also, would anybody like to help proofread for this story?

And of course...

Please Review!