Chapter Fifteen

Awakenings

   Zelda and Ruto walked through the palace gardens, not so much because they had anything to discuss, but because it was mutually comforting.  It was early morning, and the ponds provided a thin film of fog over the ground.  Zelda was dressed in a relatively plain white gown covered by a violet cloak, the hood up.  Ruto merely walked 'naked' as usual, her skin greedily absorbing the moisture.  "Ruto," Zelda said after a while.  "How have you handled being queen?  Your father only died a short while ago; it must have been quite a transition."

   Ruto nodded.  "It was, a little," she answered, "But we both know that while my father was a good man, he was a horrible king.  I made most decisions myself.  Still, I would give all my title and power to have my father back for just one more day.  But to answer your question, I have had difficulties.  In essence, the responsibilities are much like those of a princess.  Except now, I must deal with all the consequences of actions perpetrated by myself, my people, and everyone else in Hyrule.  It's daunting sometimes, and—and I say this in complete confidence—…" she added with small smile, "A little frightening."

   Zelda returned the smile.  Ruto reached over and patted her shoulder.  "Don't worry though.  We will find a cure for your father, and the situation that plagues our land.  You will not have to face the burden of leadership for many years to come."

   As if on cue, Impa appeared beside them.  "Princess, you must come quickly," she said, in the most emotionally wrought tone Zelda had ever heard her use.  "Your father has awoken."

                                    *                                  *                                  *

   Zelda burst into her father's bedchamber, barely containing herself.  Doctors surrounded the bed, and Zelda could barely see around them.  "Leave us!" she commanded.  The doctors obeyed as quickly as possible, muttering their astonishment over the king's awakening.  Impa shut the door behind them, leaving Zelda and her father alone.  The princess walked up to the bed and sat at her father's side.  "Father?"

   "My daughter…" he whispered.  His voice was weak, unsuitable for his strong face.  Though well into his forties, King Jax still looked every bit the warrior of his youth, though his once blonde hair and beard were streaked with gray.

   "I'm here, father," she assured, taking his hand.  Tears streaked her face.  "I was so frightened.  If you left me, I don't know what I would do."

   Though he was obviously strained from the effort, Jax raised a hand to wipe away the tears.   "I will always be with you, Zelda," he croaked.  "But you will have to lead our people.  They will look to you, now…"

   "No father, don't say that…"

   "You must be strong, for their sake," he continued, tears coming to his own eyes.  He looked at her, as if trying to memorize her face one last time.  "You look so much like your mother.  I wish you could have met her.  But I couldn't…I couldn't save them…"

   "Them?" Zelda asked, confused.  "Who?"

   Jax was about to answer, but suddenly his eyes rolled back and his lids closed.  He was once again unconscious.  "Father?" Zelda cried.  "Daddy?"

   "He cannot hear you."

   Zelda turned at the deep, unfamiliar voice.  Sitting at the windowsill was a giant of a man, who's uncanny resemblance to Rolondrof and Ganon could only mean he was the Skorn of Shrike's reports.  He didn't move, he just sat, and she didn't even bother wondering how he had got there.  "Now you see that my brother was serious.  We can cure your father, if we wish it.  But only if you agree to our terms.  Release our lord, and your father will be spared.  Refuse, and Lord Ganon will be released anyway, and your father will die that much sooner."  Zelda's silence was answer enough.  "Very well," he said.  He turned to leave, but not before a parting word.  "Pride is admirable, princess, but only when it accomplishes something.  Prepare yourself for what is to come.  You will not survive."  And then he was gone as mysteriously as he had appeared. 

   Zelda stayed by her father's side for some time.  At length, she turned her head, only to find her own reflection in the mirror.  A moment later the image shattered as her crown struck the mirror.

                                    *                                  *                                  *

   "You know, I'd always wanted to climb Death Mountain.  One of those 'things to do before I die' things."

   "And now?"

   "And now I take it back."

   Link grinned.  "Don't worry, we're not going all the way to the top.  We should be at Goron City by nightfall."

   They were walking up the meandering path leading to Death Mountain's peak.  It was rocky and steep at times, but it was much easier than some of the paths Link had been forced to take before.  It was midday, and they had been traveling since early morning.  The town was still in the thralls of celebration over Link and Malon's victory over the mercenaries, and most likely would be until the next morning.  Epona was back in the stables, cared for by Anne, and Malon was once again dressed in the more practical—and modest—pants and shirt.  The temperature gradually decreased as they scaled the mountain, so they had their cloaks wrapped around them.

   "Do you think Skorn or this Rolondrof guy did anything to the Gorons?" Malon asked.

   "I would like to say 'no', but that would be lying.  The only question is 'what'."  He took a drink from his water skin.  "Whatever it is, though, we've got to fix it."

   Malon couldn't help but feel proud that Link had said 'we'.  He was now acknowledging her as his actual companion, that her input and help was not only valued, but also wanted.  They walked on for a while longer in silence.  Malon had tried to shy away from the subject she knew occupied most of Link's mind, but she just couldn't hold it back any longer.  She took a breath and asked, "How are you doing?"

   He didn't answer right away.  When he did, he said, "Fine, I guess.  It's kind of a big revelation, though.  The fact that I'm royalty, that one of my best friends is actually my sister.  It's daunting; I'm still trying to figure out how I'll explain it to Zelda."  He paused and thought for a moment.  "The only thing keeping me from being happy about discovering my father's identity is wondering how that Hylian I found knew about it."

   Malon didn't have an answer.  Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something jump down from one of the ledges above them.  She didn't have time to warn Link, so she drew her sword and slashed at the thing's belly.  Link, as it turned out, didn't need the warning—he had noticed the same time she had—and also cut the thing's stomach.  It hit the ground, dead.  It appeared to be a large insect of some kind, about the size of a large dog and in the shape of a spider.  Link wiped his sword clean on the grass.  "A tektite," he explained.  "They hang from cliffs and wait for people or animals to pass by, then they pounce and sting you with their venom.  Nasty creatures."  He sheathed his sword and looked at Malon.  "I said it before, and I'll say it again: you, Malon Lon, have a warrior's spirit."

   Malon blushed, and they continued walking.  "I guess this would be a good time to pass on some advice to such a newly-born warrior," Link said.  "The quickest way to die in a battle is to take your focus from the task at hand.  In a fight, if you aren't concentrated solely on your opponent and your surroundings, a seasoned fighter will take advantage of that.  A skilled warrior is aware only of his immediate surroundings and his opponent, and they can be used to your advantage.  I'm serious when I say this, Malon.  Don't let your mind wander.  Concentrate on what you are doing, your chances of survival will increase dramatically."

   Malon nodded, memorizing those words.  "Who taught you that?"

   "Chief Darunia, in fact.  It's the first thing all Goron soldiers are taught."

   "I'll remember," Malon promised.  "Anything else you can teach this newly-awakened warrior?"

   Link smiled and drew his sword.  "Draw your sword.  We'll train as we walk."

                                    *                                  *                                  *

  "Why is it whenever something bad happens there's always silence?"

   Indeed, the many-storied Goron City was deathly still.  There was no one on any of the roads, all the doors were shut, and only their footsteps broke the silence.  They were on the bottom level, where Chief Darunia had his home.  Link stared at the doorway blocking their path into the Goron's home.

   "This door hasn't been locked in eight years.  None of these doors have," he said.  He stood on the carpet in front of the door and took out his ocarina.  As he played the soft, peaceful tune of Zelda's Lullaby, the door opened.  Link and Malon stepped into darkness.  Link clapped his hands together, and when he opened them a bright flame danced in his hand.  He held it high as they made their way down the stone hallway.

   Malon wrapped her cloak around her.  "This place gives me the creeps," she said.  "Where could everyone be?"  Link didn't answer, and they kept moving through the darkened cave.  The passed through several rooms, mostly meeting areas and dens, until they came to an opening with a faint light creeping through the doorway.  Link doused his flame and quietly edged along the wall, with Malon close behind.  Peering around the doorway, Link gasped and rushed in.  Malon followed him, and saw Link kneeling beside a low bed made of smooth stone.  On the bed lay a young Goron, no more than eight.  He was sweating heavily, and his face and neck were covered with red sores.

   "Link?  Link!" Link said, and it took Malon a moment to realize he was trying to rouse the youngster.  The little Goron slowly opened his dark eyes, and gazed up at him.

   "Uncle Link?" he rasped.  "Is that you?"

   "I'm here bud," the older Link assured.  "What happened?  Where's your dad?"

   Goron Link tried to swallow, but the effort pained him enough to whimper.  He gave up on the attempt and said, "He went to the castle to talk to Auntie Zelda.  He's trying to help us."

   Link's face clouded over.  "Is everyone like this?"

   "Yes, everyone except the ones who were away.  Dad's locked everyone in their homes to keep the disease from spreading."

   Malon stepped closer, getting a better look at the Goron's symptoms.  "When did this happen?" she asked.  Little Link looked to Big Link, who nodded his head reassuringly.

   "About a week ago everyone started getting sick.  We all got these bumps, and it hurts to eat."

   Malon's mind was racing.  "When you do eat, does your stomach hurt?  Do your knees get wobbly when you try to stand?"

   The Goron nodded.  "Yeah, both things."

   Malon looked to Big Link.  "I know what this is," she said.  "It's some variation of horse fever.  It normally only affects horses, though, and it can be deadly if it goes on without treatment.  The symptoms are exactly the same, though.  It's no wonder nobody here recognized it, seeing as how the Gorons have no use for horses."

   Link looked at her hopefully.  "Is there a cure?"

   She thought for a moment and asked Little Link, "How many people are sick."

   "Almost everyone…"

   "Probably close to four hundred, if the sickness is contained to this part of the mountain range," Big Link interjected.

   "In that case," Malon calculated, "I'll need maybe ten Blugleberry Violets, and another ten Firesnaps.  I'll be able to make enough of the antidote for everyone.  I just don't know where we can find any with so little time.  I doubt they grow this high up on the mountain."

   "The Lava Gardens."  Both Hylians turned to look at Little Link.  "We have all sorts of flowers in the Gardens."

   "He's right," Big Link confirmed.  "I've been there once.  They have almost every type of flower in Hyrule.  It's one of the Gorons most sacred locations."

   "Where is it?" Malon asked.

   "In the this volcano's crater.  I can get to it through a room in Darunia's study."  He looked down at the little Goron and squeezed his hand.  "We'll be right back Link.  We're going to get those flowers."  The Hylians exited the room, and Link once again used Din's Fire to light their way.  Eventually they came to Darunia's study.  There was desk, chairs, and a large statue at the back of the room.  Link used his fire to light a torch and headed for the statue.  He stood at the side and began to push.  Slowly, the statue moved to reveal a gaping hole in the wall.  Malon stared into the hole.  About a hundred yards away she could see a faint red glow.  She turned back to Link and saw that he was removing his vest and shirt.  He took off his cap and tied a strip of cloth around his forehead.

   "What are you doing?" Malon asked, though she feared she already knew the answer.

   "I left my Goron Tunic in Kakariko with Epona.  I don't have time to go back and get it.  We need that cure now."

   "But you can't go in there.  You'll burn to a crisp!"

   "Not if I hurry," Link replied, his voice full of confidence.  He turned to Malon and took her by the shoulders.  "You know the drill.  If I'm not back in three hours go down the mountain and find whatever you need and get that cure back here as soon as possible."

   They looked into each other's eyes then, neither of them sure what to do.  Link looked as if he was about to move closer, but he turned and headed down the tunnel, sword strapped to his back.  She watched him go, and stood staring for a while longer.  Eventually, she took the torch from the wall and made her way back to Little Link's bedroom.  No sooner had she sat down at the bedside when a powerful voice shook the room.

   "What is going on here?"