Trial of Keys.
V2.5a
By: (o'.')o
Disclaimer:
Wait a minute….why should I put a disclaimer up here? Fanfiction.net already has a site wide disclaimer. Should I continue to put disclaimers up here? Tradition? I dunno….you tell me J
Note from Me:
This part, V2.5, concerns the fire key, and again will be split into two parts. Both parts will come out very soon of each other. Sorry, I know this is a pain, but I feel it's the best way to do this.
Secondly, I want to thank those who reviewed. Thanks a lot, for the input, I really really appreciate it! Keep reviewing! Thanks!
Hey, anyone heard the Malon song with actual words!? It's kinda cool! IP: http://166.90.143.145:11492/ for Nintendo Nation radio.( Relax, I don't run it. I'm just a listener. ) I forget, but one of these stations have it. I didn't know Malon sang to Epona in Japanese ;)
Last Chapter:
Our hero navigated the belly of the giant fish and eventually found, to his surprise, Ruto…the Zoran girl he had conversed with way back in A Kid Named Link v1.2. It seems Ruto is the missing Zoran Princess ( Who would have thunk it? ) and was being held hostage in the belly of their Demi-God Jabu-Jabu by Kardo, a Zoran anarchist. In any case, after defeating Kardo's giant squid, Link rescued the princess, nearly drowning for his trouble. But Ruto exchanged the favor, saving Link's life and bringing him to the shore of Lake Hylia, where she also gives him the Water Key.
Thanks for your patience. Now on with the story.
By Malon's estimate, it was around midnight, when the door to the cell the girls were in began to rattle. She and the others looked up and stood as it was opened. A burly Zoran guard stood directly in the doorway, and then stood aside.
Malon and Saria's face brightened when they saw who was behind the guard. Link stood there, a little soggy, and smelling a bit like fish, but otherwise okay. He smiled and nodded to the girls, offering his hands to them. Malon and Saria accepted them and left the cell. Zelda followed closely, not showing any emotion.
Malon then noticed the small Zoran girl standing closely next to Link. A little too closely for her taste. Link saw her look and explained quickly. "Malon, Saria, Zelda…this is Ruto, Princess of the Zora."
Malon and Saria let out a small gasp. "You mean…you actually found her!?" Saria exclaimed. Link nodded triumphantly, hands on his hips, and grinning like the cat who swallowed the canary.
Zelda smiled in spite of herself and shook her head. "You're unbelievable." She muttered. Link wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult.
Ruto saw the look on the girls faces and piped up, "Oh, it wasn't like he was even trying! My father practically teleported me into my arms." She said, nudging Link with a finned elbow. Malon studied the girl, she was petite, even more than Saria, but she held herself as if she were as old as the others.
"Maybe she is." Malon thought. She also wondered why this Zora was the only Zora in the Kingdom with the decency to cover herself. She was barely wearing anything, a small seaweed skirt and a thick strand of weed to wrap around her breasts. Malon thought if Link had anything to do with this anomaly.
Ruto turned to Link. "You're friends are free to go." She said. "Sorry about all this trouble."
"It was my pleasure, Princess." Link said, taking Ruto's small hand and kissing it gently. The girls wore a slight look of shock on their faces, but only for a millisecond. All except for Zelda, who scoffed.
"No offense, mighty hero, but I think she was referring to our trouble." Zelda said roughly. Link withdrew with a sudden quickness. Ruto just smiled and nodded.
"Yup. Princess Zelda, wow." She exclaimed. " It's so great to finally meet you. I wish we had more time…"
Zelda smiled warmly. "Me too, Princess. Unfortunately, we have business." She turned to Link sternly. "Link…if you have the Water Key, I think we should hurry."
Link nodded, then turned to Ruto anxiously, expecting her to proclaim her plan of joining him and the others on Link's quest.
However, that didn't happen. Instead, Ruto took Links hands in hers and peered into his brown eyes. "Cliff, if you ever need help, rest assured we will assist." She said quietly. "Just put your hands in the waters, we'll hear you."
She got up on her toes and planted a light kiss on Link's cheek. Ruto sighed as she got back down. "Good luck." She said simply.
Link stared at her for a moment, then he realized that he was being watched by umpteen amount oif people. He bowed graciously. "Thank you.", he said. Gesturing to the other girls, he left the dungeons and out of the Zoran Kingdom, sure to be getting questions from the girls on why in the world Ruto had called him 'Cliff'.
Ruto stared at him as he left, for the first time with a look of deep seriousness. That look faded quickly and she crossed her arms and sighed. "He is cute though." She said to herself. She beckoned the guards that were waiting at her feet, and left for the palace cavern of the Zoran Kingdom.
********
A few hours later, Link, Malon, Saria and Zelda were traveling along the plains of Hyrule once again. Link and Malon took the lead, atop of Epona, while Saria and Zelda rode together on Destiny. Link seemed to have a good idea of where he was going.
Zelda noticed they were heading West of the Zoran Kingdom, towards Kakkariko Village. "Link." she called, " where are you headed."
"You already know don't you, Princess?" Link called back, smiling sarcastically.
"Don't start with me, knucklehead! I just spent half a day in a dank rotting dungeon thanks to you!" Zelda retorted. " I'm not in the mood for any of your lip."
Link sighed, utterly defeated. "My guess is that the final key lies in Death Mountain." He said. "Instead of going straight there though, I'm going to the Goron Village. Maybe King Goron has it in his possession."
Malon looked at him curiously. "What makes you think that?" she asked.
Link glanced back at her. "I remember hearing how Goron's like their rocks, especially the rare ones. Goron probably has it stashed away." He glanced back at Zelda, giving her another smile. " I'm sure he'll let me use it if Zelda asks him nicely."
Zelda scoffed again , Saria laughing silently behind her. "Bah" she thought. All that being said, the group continued on towards Death Mountain.
****************
The group rested a while in Kakkariko, getting their clothes cleaned and their bodies washed from their 'ordeal' with the Zora. They insisted that Link bathe first, not because of his well being, but for theirs. They cited the smell Link was giving off as toxic and lethal to Elven health.
Link sat in the hot tub, fuming at that last remark. "Yeah, next time YOU volunteer to wade around in the belly of a giant friggin fish." He thought viciously. The small room was equipped with the steamer and tub for washing, and Link had to admit, the heat of the water felt pretty darn good on his aching body.
Link tried to recall the events of the last few days. Him and Zelda visiting that strange Sage who refused to reveal his name, his losing control in the Lost Woods and nearly taking it out on Saria, his tough battles against the Armor, and the giant Squid. Link was pretty sure there would be a few more terrible battles to go through.
Link thought about these past few events until his head hurt. To alleviate the pain, he sunk his head and feet under the water, completely submerged. He stayed there until the water stilled, attempting to make a game to see how long he could hold his breath.
***
The door opened silently and Zelda walked in on soft slippers., her body wrapped in a feathery towel. She insisted that she would be next after Link, her entire princessly facade an mess after that happening with the Zora. She saw that the room was empty, and as she usually does, stepped out of her slippers and unwrapped her towel…
Link bounded out of the water, gasping heavily. Zelda looked at him, her beautiful face a look of pure horror. Link sat in the water, panting. "Yeah! That had to be at least two minu…" he started appraisingly to himself, until he turned and looked at the figure staring at him.
The two locked eyes, then Zelda whipped her towel around herself again, while Link whipped his head away from her general direction, covering his head with his arms.
Link risked a peek at the Princess. Her face was an entire shade of scarlet. Her mouth was working to get words out…but she couldn't manage to say anything. Link decided to try something.
He turned to her and smiled weakly. "H.hiya." he started. "Umm……bath's taken." He said, shrugging.
Zelda had no idea how long her towel had not been covering her body…maybe a second…maybe a half…but that didn't matter. What mattered is that he saw! He saw what he had no right to see. She looked at Link in front of her, and was suddenly taken over by pure rage. Holding her towel with one hand, she whipped her other hand at the door. "GET……OUT!!!" she blasted.
Link leaned back from the verbal assault. "Bu…..but it's still my turn…"
"OUT!!!"
"I'm still not clean!" he begged. Zelda found another towel and whipped it at his face.
"NOW! OR YOUR QUEST WILL END RIGHT HERE IN THE BLOODY HOTTUB!"
"Well...can't argue with that." Link thought, as he quickly wrapped the towel around himself and bounded from the room, as if his life depended on it.
Which, of course, it did.
*******
An hour later, all four of them were at the base of the path that led to the Goron Village. Malon and Saria couldn't understand why Link and Zelda were acting so strangely. Link acted like he was afraid for his life, and Zelda as if she wanted to kill something. This strange behavior was all the more reason to be shocked at Zelda's next suggestion.
"I think Link and I should see Goron by ourselves." She said, her voice devoid of emotion. Malon and Saria glanced at themselves.
"Is that such a good idea?" Saria asked.
"We've come this far together, why split up now?" Malon asked, a bit offended by the suggestion. Didn't she prove she was able to fend for herself, or did they still consider her just a farm girl?
This time, Link spoke up. "The fact is, to get the Fire Key from the Gorons, only Zelda is needed. If she asks, they'll give it to her by obligation of the Treaty." He paused, glancing at her…then looking Malon straight in the eye. "If they don't have it, then it's probably somewhere in Death Mountain. I'll be going there alone."
"Link--"
"No buts. No one is going with me to Death Mountain. Not Zelda not you or Saria, not anyone!" Link stared at her now, and Malon could see that he was deadly serious.
"So…so what are we supposed to do…just sit here and wait for you to come back?" she asked, a hint of apprehension in her voice.
"Yes." Zelda answered.
"If the Gorons have it, we'll be back within two hours." Link explained. "If they don't have it, Zelda will leave for Kakkariko and join you back here." Link sighed and continued quietly, "I'll be back, that's a promise."
"And you always keep your promises, right?" Saria asked, smiling at him.
Link nodded, reassured at her acceptance. "Darn straight." He answered.
Malon crossed her arms, not looking at anyone in particular. "Fine." She agreed.
Link nodded again, putting a hand on her shoulder. He and Zelda then started up the path to the Goron Village.
*******
The path up to the Goron Village was an artificially made path, constructed up the 'Silent' side of Death Mountain, to make it easier for travelers to brave the Volcano, even when it was active. This side of the path was purged of monsters and animals like Tektites, and was made only to reach the Goron Village. Travelers who wanted to enter Death Mountain straight from Kakkariko, would have to take the hard way.
Link wished there were monsters to fight, anything that would break the awful silence on the way to the Gorons. He glanced at Zelda, still not able to take the picture of her in the bathing room out of his mind, even though he saw her only for a second. Link wasn't even sure he wasn't imagining what he saw, after all the time was so short, he couldn't have seen everything.
This was really frustrating. He had seen Ruto nude for an even longer time, and thought nothing of it. Why the hell was Zelda so different? Maybe because she was Elven….and that made it slightly more difficult…maybe it because she was a Princess, and there were men hired to take the eyes out of people who had seen what he had saw….
…maybe it was because she was so beautiful, so perfect…. "so untouchable." Link thought grimly. He was physically attracted to Zelda, there wasn't any doubt. All men who liked the opposite sex had to find themselves attracted to her. It was like metal fillings being attracted to a magnet. Only a few men would see what lurked behind the beauty, though.
It was pretty clear Zelda disliked him. She treated him like an incompetent, she talked down to him, belittled him, ordered him about like he didn't know what he was doing. Yeah, Link was pretty sure Zelda wasn't his number one fan. Link wished he could return the favor…but he couldn't. There was something about her…..
Zelda suddenly broke the silence, looking Link straight in the eye. "Well?" she asked harshly
"Well what?"
"You know what I mean." She bit. "Well?"
Link sighed. "I saw nothing, Princess." He said that with a straight face..
Zelda scoffed. "Liar."
A minute of silence passed…then Link decided to take the risk of speaking. "Even if I had seen anything, your Majesty, it probably wouldn't have been…" he looked up and caught her blue eyes in his. "anything….less than perfect." He finished quietly.
Zelda stared at him for a moment, without a look of malice for once. She turned away and continued up the hill. Link sighed again, and stared at the ground, concentrating on getting up the path.
Another minute passed until Zelda turned to him again, a coy smile on her face. She simply said, "You owe me.", and continued up the path.
Link stopped while Zelda kept up the mountain, shocked at that demand. He wondered what the implications of it were…. And he hoped she didn't mean what he thought she meant.
********
It didn't take them long to reach the Goron Village. Link was amazed by it's structure. It was carved into the side of the mountain, and the entire village consisted of a huge burrowed hole that led down into the depths of the structure. Link saw a path that spiraled down the hole, and thought that the Throne Room must be down there.
When Link and Zelda entered, they, were welcomed in warmly. Link was surprised at the general joyfulness of the rock race. He heard that they were a bit brutish, but beside their rock appearance, they seemed to be softies on the inside.
The only thing that really bothered Link about the Goron was that he couldn't tell which were male and which were female. "Maybe there's neither." Link thought to himself. He was still considering the possibility when they were greeted by a large member of the rock race.
"Good Granite to you." He ( uh..she? ) exclaimed. Link and Zelda returned the greeting and asked to see King Goron. The Goron laughed. "King? Of course. Right this way."
The Goron led them down the spiral, to the bottom of the Village. There was a huge pot that rotated harmlessly around on the floor, where bright red carpets and torches signified the throne room.
The Goron tapped twice on the door to the Throne Room, and the nodded to Zelda and Link as it left. The door slid open, and the two elves let themselves into the room.
Inside the decorated room was a Goron, massively built around the torso and arms, but still with a little paunch for a stomach. The Goron had bright red hair and a beard, and had been reading when the two had entered.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Princess, it is an honor to meet you!" The Goron said in all sincerity. "I am King Goron the IX." He bowed and took the Princess's hand, putting his other hand on top in a gesture of Goron respect.
Zelda smiled evenly. "The honor is all mind, My Lord." She said. Without looking at Link, she introduced him to the King of the Gorons. Goron IX took Link's hand in a crushing grip, shaking it vigorously. Link showed no pain, but let it be known, he was in quite a lot of pain at the moment. The fact that Link didn't complain brought instant respect to the eyes of the King.
Introductions done, Zelda got down to business. "My Lord, we're here for the Fire Key. We fear that the Time of Trouble is upon us again, and Link here has been ordered to release the Master Sword from its eternal slumber." Zelda said eloquently. Link shook his head slightly in wonder. Her voice could be so melodious…when it wasn't cold and demeaning.
The Goron King nodded. "We have it for you, then." He said. He turned to the door at the side of the room and cupped a hand next to his mouth. "BOY!!!" he thundered.
Immediately, the door opened, and Link found himself face to face with….
Link?
The small Goron looked at Link and Zelda anxiously. King Goron looked at them. "This is my son, the future King of the Gorons, Link." he laughed raucously. " I thought it was quite the coincidence too!" he said, slapping uh.. big-Link on the back. "The name 'Link' entered the Royal Family nearly a millennia ago, during another time of trouble. It skips a few generations…but, well here he is." He turned to the small Goron and beamed. "Well boy, speak up. We're in the presence of Hyrulian Royalty."
Small-Link faced Zelda and bowed quickly. "An honor!" he said quickly. Zelda smiled and took his hand, shaking it gently. The boy then looked at Link, completely awe-struck. "Your name is Link too!?" he asked.
Big-Link nodded. "Yeah. Who would have thunk it?" he said with a grin.
"Wow"
"Okay then." Goron said. "These folks need the Fire key. I know you took it outside the Village for school today. Now where is it?"
The kid looked beyond ashamed. "I….I don't have it." Small-Link gasped.
Link shut his eyes, feeling some acute disappointment. Goron was just astonished. "What!!!??"
"Me and some friends, we went to the Dodongo's Cavern!" Small-Link blurted. "I… it's not supposed to be dangerous, right? So we went, and when we got to the altar, where the real good rocks are…." He gulped, not able to look at his father, ", some really really big Dodongo's came. They were big, huge, giant Dodongo's!! Two of them! They attacked and, we ran real fast." Small-Link stared at his feet, shuffling them back and forth. "I dropped it. It's at the altar. I'm sorry."
"You idiot!" Goron yelled. "You shouldn't go to the Cavern without an adult! You could have been killed!!!" he shook at his own rage, just finding out that he had quite nearly lost his son. He considered Zelda. "And her highness is searching for the key! Look what you've done to her now!"
Zelda put an arm on the King, who immediately stopped his tirade. "It's okay, My Lord. What's important is that Link wasn't harmed." He smiled at the boy reassuringly, and the king nodded his agreement.
"Yup." Link said. "At least we know where it is." He looked up at Zelda and smiled weakly. " I guess it's time to go then."
"You're going there alone!?" Small-Link asked. "B…But the Dodongo's!"
"Hey, if you made it, I figure I have a chance." Link said, putting a glove on the boys head.
Zelda nodded. "Don't worry about him, Link. He can take care of himself." She looked Big-Link directly in the eye, as if trying to give him a message.
Link stared back, not knowing what to think. "What's she saying?" He thought. A part of Link wanted to think that it was 'Good luck' or 'Be Careful'
Link sighed. It didn't matter now. If he was careful, he could avoid the Dodongo's pick the Key up and be back at Kakkariko before sunrise. The King walked over to a lever on the North Wall of the room and pulled it. Another door slid open, and the King pointed at it.
"This is a shortcut we built that leads to the Dodongo's Cavern." The King shrugged. "It's good for midnight cravings…"
Link grinned and paced to the door. He glanced back at Zelda for a moment. Zelda smiled, and shook her head so slightly it seemed like a shiver.
"Don't be late." She told him.
Link grinned again, then walked up the torch-lit staircase beyond the door. With a sharp grinding of stone against stone, the opening closed behind him.
NEXT: Link and the Dodongo's Cavern. The Fire Key's got to be there right…?…….right??? Link also gets some unexpected aid from a stranger… Next Part Soon! Hope you enjoyed this. Please review, and I'll catch you later. (o'.')o