The Bolero of Fire
Chapter 1: The Song of Fire
All Songs come to an end eventually. The only song that will never come to an end is the song of life. If you hear the song of life, don't turn away, try to listen… better.
Then again, what is a song?
A song may be likened to a story, a lifespan, short interlude between adventures.
This is a Song of Fire and a Song of Water. This is a song to tame a dragon.
Let's begin with the Song of Fire.
As they entered the Temple of Fire, they saw several fireflyers around. Fado felt kind of useles. Malon at least had a dagger, but Fado's magic didn't work well around here, so she tried to blast the fireflyers to the walls.
Saria was in luck as she had her sword handy, along with her magic.
They went right, into another room, where they had to solve riddles by pushing around statues.
As they went from room to room, they sometimes felt watched by a shadowy figure.
When they reached a room where there was lava underneath, they quickly turned around - this was too much. Although Malon was better at withstanding the heat than both Saria and Fado were, it didn't make much sense to split up.
They found a room where there was water inside that was rather cool. There was only one exit. On the wall were notes for some song.
Bot Saria and Fado wanted to learn it, but it only did something for Saria.
The Song was called the Bolero of Fire, and in this case it could make them withstand the heat of the mountain better. Each of them cooled down a little. They drank from the water and wanted to exit the room - had there not stood a shadowy figure in the doorway.
"So i finally caught up with you." The figure said
"Stop! Who are you!" Malon shouted
"Maybe i should shed some light into it." The figure emerged from the shadows. Malon, Saria and Fado couldn't quite make out if that was a girl or a boy.
"I am called Sheik from the Sheikah tribe. I have been trained in the way of the Sheikah almost since birth. I have been sent here to be and eye for the Sheikah watching over the potential sages who should save the world."
"But.. we are on vacation here…" Fado said.
"And i shall be yo
Obviously there was nothing they could do to prevent Sheik from coming with them.
"So… are you a girl or a boy?" Faey asked
"Why does this matter?" Sheik answered
"It matters to me." Cyane said.
"Look, you will find out soon enough, but let's just say i am a boy and i am wearing a woman's uniform because seemingly there is just one uniform size for all Sheikah. We wanted to make gender less important, see."
"I will keep your secret. You see, Fado actually thinks you are a girl."
"Saria is not sure. And Malon thinks you are a boy. So for now, let's just assume you are a girl." Faey said.
Sheik blushed very slightly and shook her head.
"Just one more tip: When doing music, don't sing, just use your harp… it is hard to fake a female singing voice…"
And so they went, through the room were there was lava underneath, to the room where the Flare Dancer was.
It turned out Sheik had a longer sword than Saria. He was a worthwhile addition to the group.
So they had Saria play the Bolero of Fire so they could better withstand the heat better, while
Fado was trying to keep the heat on the circle platform.
Malon threw her Dagger at the flaredancers' head, which seperated its head from its body. The rest was done by Sheik, who used her sword to slash at the flaredancers' body.
As a reward, they got a bow and arrows.
"I don't need those, i am the best magician around." Fado opted out
"May i please have those?" Saria pleaded
"I don't need them." Sheik said
Malon was unsure. "I could use them."
Silence.
"But i guess i will pass, i can just buy them from Hyrule Market if i really need them."
With the help of Sheik, who apparently knew the temple better than most, they found another resting place.
"So Sheik, how long have you been playing that - harp?" Fado asked
"Ever since i can remember. Should we play together?" Sheik answererd.
"Yes, let's do that. I know the Minuet of Forest, could you play the Bolero of Fire to that?"
They both played their respective songs at the same time. The song made Malon and Saria sleep - they figured it must be evening outside.
"So what do we do now?" Fado asked
"I don't know, why are you guys here?"
"We are on vacation because everywhere else is winter. But why are you here?"
"I told you, i am on a mission to help the sages…"
"Cut the crap, Sheik - if that is even a real name - why on earth are you really here?"
Sheik let out a breath.
"I once knew a girl named Zelda."
Fado muttered something, but made a hand waving gesture to Sheik urging him to go on.
"She came to visit at least a month in our Sheikah camp, a woman named Impa was seemingly her caregiver."
"So what happened? She died?" Fado asked, eating an apple from her backpack.
"Worse. She's a princess." Fado burst out laughing.
"But, a few months back she moved into our camp permanently. Next thing i know, Impa gets to be head of the Sheikah and i get to be on that mission. Apparrently i need to be as far away from Zelda as possible."
"Hey, i am sorry, that must be harsh…" Fado said, touching Sheik's shoulder.
"Well, thank you. I should try to go to sleep now."
"I don't need to. I am not tired."
"You are right, someone needs to keep watch. We could do that together"
During the night, at least a dozen flaredancers came by, long with at least thirthy fireflyers. It was cold enough to sleep, though.
In the morning, Saria and Malon were very much refreshed, whil Fado and Sheik were still tired.
—-
Sheik's sword is about 90cm long. She uses it in a one-and-a-half-handed manner.