Prolouge ( where we left off)
" So don't fear our deaths. We gladly embrace them if it mens that you can live on and touch
more people."
Link didn't know what to say. He felt overwhelmed by the support of those around him. Slowly
and surely his fear and sadness melted away. He didn't know what the future truly had in store
for all of them, but he took comfort in the knowledge that now matter what, he truly knew what
it was to have friends.
Chapter 20
The four of them sat in the chilled morning air for only a hour or so before everyone was up and
floating about. People came over to say hi and tell Link they hoped he was ok. Link smiled and
nodded to each one assuring them that he was indeed fine. Soon the camp was up, packed and
geared to go again. They set off once again following Jim. He warned each and every one of
them that even though he was leading this group due to his knowledge of the creatures
whereabouts; he did not know however what the land they were traveling though was like.
" You msut be prepared for everything and anything. We have no idea the kind of animals that
will be native to this land, let alone the creatures who are under the control of the Sorceress.
Keep a sharp eye out and if you see anything out of the ordinary, don't hesitate to yell. I would
rather them hear us comming then to be taken by surprise."
Everyone understood and acknoledge thier agreement. As they roder Link looked over at Zelda
for the first time in days. In the events of the past few days, he had forgotten aobut her. How
long ago it seemed to him now, when his feelings of love where for her. How ironic it was to
him that she kind of palyed matchmaker between him and Malon. Link laughed to himself, how
funny it was that 5 dyas ago, he would have never thought of Malon in the way that he did now.
Now he couldn't imagine his life without her. Tears started to weld up as the thought of the
vison hit him once more, he shook it off and went on.
After traveling for almsot five hours, Jim called a halt and they all dismounted. Link was
exausted. Not only was the land they were traveling though rough, but he realized taht he really
didn't sleep last night. Link noticed that Jim and Ganondorf were aobut in the same boat. Jim
looked extremely tired and Ganondorf kept nodding off during thier little rest stop. Link walked
over to Zelda and gave her a big hug.
" Thank you" he said.
" Thank me for what"
" You know, for playing matchmaker with Malon and me"
" Oh, that...your welcome"
Zelda gave a coy smile to Link and Link blushed. He tanked her again and went to sit with
Malon. Jim soon called a meeting and told everyone where he guessed they were now and
where the creatue was.
" As far as I can tell, I am guessing we are now about 12 miles from the creatures lair. If waht
the other gentleman told me was correct we should reach her lair by this evening. I do not want
to be that close by night, so if ther are no arguements, I suggested we travel only a few more
miles and then make camp. Then we start again before sun up tomorow, that way we will reach
her lair by late morning."
No one had any disagreements, so the party continued on after a few more minutes. Once they
began to move again Link went to the front to talk with Jim. Link was asking him about battle
tactics and the like. Link couldn't help but notice Jim smiling at him the entire time.
" What...what is it. Did I say something funny?" Lnk asked.
" No it's not that...so....when is the big day?"
" What"
" Oh come on everyone here knows how you and Malon feel for each other. Ganondorf and I
know more then anyone. I just want you to promise me that you will invite me to your weding
when you two get married. Wait beofre you say something like, I haven't asked her yet, or we
are not sure if we are...I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me you are not thinking aobut
asking her...eh...huh...I knew it..See i know you better then you think."
Link smiled and was aobout to respond, when Ganondorf bumped into him from behind.
" Whoa watch it..."
Link noticed Ganondorf was looking into the woods concintrating very hard. Link tried to see
waht it was Ganondorf was looking at but didn't. Jim sensing that somethignwas amiss called a
full stop. Everyone stopped and looked around nervously.
"What are we looking..." Link started to say.
" Shhh" Ganondorf hissed. " Listen"
Link listened for a few moments and noticed nothing.
" I hear nothing"
" That is jsut it. There is no sound..no birds chirpping, no nothing. Even the wind seemes to
ahve stopped all togetehr."
Link noticed that Ganodnrf was right. The woods were eerialy quiet, a bit too quiet. Lini did not
like the sound..or lack of sound, of that. He drew his sword and stood ready. Jim and the rest
followed in suit. They all stood ready on thier horses, ready for whatever it was that was out
there. Ganondorf was still looking around trying to see what it was that made the forest so quiet.
After a few moments, they gave up. Nothig happened.
As they continued to ride, Jim was reminded of something the man who tld him aobut this place
had said.
" He said that a few miles before the lair the forest dies. I at first thoguht taht to mean that
nothig grows there, but it could mean that all sound stops and so it seems as if the forest ahd
died. We must be clsoer then I thouhgt. I say we stop now and make camp."
Everyone agreed and they made camp. Later that night Link and Ganondorf and Jim sat around
the fire as everyone went to bed. Jim pulled out a whittled pipe and smoke it.
" It's a dirty habbit I know, but I only do it when i am very nervous or exicted, and being this
clsoe to the sorceress makes me both."
Link smiled and nodded his understanding and Ganondorf jsut sat staring into the fire. The three
of them sat in silence for a good long while. Link felt himself starting to drift into slumber when
a nosie from off the in shadows sapped him back to attention. He immeditatly jumpped up and
drew his sword. Jim and Ganondorf did likewise. The three fo them stood with their backs to
the fire peering into the blackness. Link saw a shape move and his muscles tightened.
Ganondorf let loose a huge fire ball and hit the figure that was there. The three of them ran to
the spot and waited for the smoke to clear. When it did, they all gazed in disbelief and what
alied on the ground. It was Mason.
