Splash!
The soldiers and the Sages landed feet first into a stream of lukewarm water. They splashed about until they realized that they were still alive, and then they took stock of their situation. Nabooru and Rauro, who did not know how to swim, splashed helplessly. Suddenly a hand seized Rauro's cloak and pulled him on to what seemed to be a stone dock. The architect looked up to see a smiling Link. Ruto grabbed Nabooru and hauled her to shore.
Ramiro, his platoon, and Darumia, had another problem: they were all weighed down so badly that they were sinking, and rapidly. Fortunately the current was pressing them against some metal bars, which they were able to hold on to.
Ruto, Impa, Saria, and Link started hauling the soldiers to shore where they immediately started stripping themselves of their armor. Darumia, on the other hand, required the assistance of several soldiers that had taken their armor off.
As the Goron leader was hauled onto the stone platform Link laughed and they all collapsed, their clothes (and fur) soaked through. It was then that they realized that they were not on a dock at all, but on a stone-paved floor. The stream was artificial.
They were in a room, if you could call it that. A giant silver door stood behind them. A wheel harvested the water's energy and used it to turn mechanical wheels. A ramp wound around a beam-that was twirled by the water-and led to a second story that no one could see.
They lay there for a while, but after a while Ramiro spoke up and said, "Where in the underworld are we?"
Link sighed. "Don't worry about it. We've got all the time in the world; literally. In here time has no meaning. We could sit on these stones, grow old, go outside, and nothing would have changed. It's hard to explain. I don't even understand it myself."
Several strong soldiers stood up and looked around. They were tightly packed close to the water, so they moved to make room for the others. They plodded up the ramp to have a look. One of them shouted, "Hero Link, there's a door up here."
Link nodded and walked up the ramp. "That door takes us into the very heart of Clock Town, the biggest city in Termina. When we enter Clock Town no one will have noticed we entered through that door. Don't ask me why. Let's wait a bit; we should wait for the others." He paused and then added, "And call me Link."
Several minutes later the others managed to stand. They then walked up the ramp, and as one they opened the door. It was as if they were sucked into a vortex, and before they knew it they were standing in a small portion of a town that would have dwarfed Hyrule Market.
"My friends," Link said. "Welcome to Termina."
* * *
They stood there for a moment, marveling at its size when suddenly Rauro, seeming distracted, said, "Now what?"
"Now," Link said, "we see if the Stock Pot in has an extra room. We'll need a place to spend the night. Let's head over to East Clock Town. But first I have to get Epona settled."
So they walked to the stable that had been erected in South Clock Town and Link paid to have Epona fed, given water, and a place to sleep. He patted his horse's muzzle, said a few loving words, and they left.
They marched over to East Clock town and entered the Stock Pot Inn, which seemed much bigger than Link remembered. Anju, the receptionist, smiled at the sight of Link. She jumped over the counter and gave Link a big hug.
Being eyed by the others Link quickly pulled away from her embrace and addressed them. "I helped her husband find his wedding mask. You see, it's traditional in Termina that both the husband and the bride have masks so that-oh never mind! I'm sure Anju will be more than happy to explain it for anyone that's interested." Link turned to Anju. "Any vacancies?"
Anju returned to the counter and looked at her book of reservations. She looked up. "Yes, there's one on the third floor. It's an eight-person bunk bed room, but I'm sure all of you will manage. I'm sorry, but there's nothing else."
Link was staring at her oddly. "There isn't a third floor, Anju."
Anju laughed. After you left the Builders built a third floor so that we wouldn't always be packed tight, and since Kafei's father is mayor we had no problem getting it authorized, as well as a discount."
Link smiled, slipped Anju a purple rupie, and beckoned for his companions to follow him upstairs. They found their room shortly, and entered, glad to be under a roof for a change.
The room was nicer than Link had expected. It had four well-made bunk beds that were organized two to each side of the room. There was a small table and chairs setup, nothing big. Lastly, there was a fireplace and three small but soft chairs.
Link sat in one of these chairs and put his head back. "I hereby claim this chair to be mine," he joked sleepily.
Rauro managed to squeeze his bulk into one of the chairs, but Darumia had a harder time, so he just curled up on the floor and went to sleep. The women all took the beds, save Impa, who insisted on standing watch. The soldiers sat against the wall and began to snore softly.
"Welcome to Termina indeed," Link whispered before he drifted off to sleep.