~24~
Nayru and Karzad rode over the grassy plains of Hyrule Field on the backs of Lapeze and Rahona. The moon was bright and full and they trotted at a steady pace toward Kakariko Village. There they were to meet a man and learn of the rings in full. They traveled to the edge of Death Mountain, and reached it just as the sun began to rise. They dismounted began up the long flight of steps. They were walking up them when from behind them they heard a faint cry for help. Karzad and Nayru whipped around to see a person floundering in the Zora River. He was fighting the strong current as best he could but it was obvious that he was a weak swimmer and was losing his strength. Karzad and Nayru ran toward the river's bank to go pull him out. He was weakening by the second and just as they reached him he slid under the fast moving current. They groped into the water for his hand but came up unsuccessful. Karzad leapt into action. He tore off his satchel, bow and quiver tossing them aside and diving headlong into the river. He went under and Nayru stood on the banks hopping up and down on one foot in nerves. Karzad's head burst from the surface but he shook it, he could not find him. Nayru was already on her way. She threw off her shield and sword and leapt into the river. She loved this. She needed no air and with the full use of her gills and underwater vision she looked around desperately for the body. She went far down stream in her search and was about to give up hope when she saw something ahead of her. She swam closer and saw that it was a boy caught on a submerged tree branch. He appeared to be unconscious, she hoped that was all, as she swam to his aide. She wrapped her arms around his waist and dragged his dead weight to the surface. She pulled him over to the bank and dragged his body onto the shore. He was pale and limp and wasn't breathing. She opened his mouth and began to try to resuscitate him. She pushed on his chest, willing his heart to beat but it seemed hopeless. She tried again and again and was about to give up when with a splutter the boy coughed up a mouthful of water and began to choke and cough, breathing in air. The boy looked to be about her age or older. He was lanky and thin and had short, messy, spiked hair that was amazingly, a bright hue of green. Perhaps he had some Kokiri in him Nayru smiled as the boy began to regain consciousness. He looked up at Nayru. "You saved me?" He gasped. Nayru smiled and nodded. "Thank you!" he cried. "I don't know what happened! One minute I was walking on the banks minding my own business and the next I just fell right into the water. I guess I must have slipped. My name is Londaris, what is your own?" Nayru smiled, "The banks can be rather treacherous, my name is Nayru," "Like the goddess," Londaris acknowledged. "Yes," Said Nayru. "Thank you again for your kindness, but I must go home now, my master will be worried." Karzad rushed over to Nayru at that moment. "Is he alright?" he asked, handing her, her sword and shield. "Yes, and it's lucky he is too, where do you dwell Londaris?" Asked Nayru. "I live in Kakariko Village," he said, motioning toward the long staircase. "Well what a coincidence, we are bound for Kakariko too," Karzad said. "Well, then I suppose we don't have to part as soon as we thought. We can travel together," he said, brushing the hair from his eyes. Behind his unruly bangs, Nayru then thought she saw something, but as she looked at it, Londaris seemed to notice and turned his head. When he turned back his hair covered his forehead again. Nayru couldn't tell now if it was done on purpose or by accident.
***
They trekked up the long stone staircase until they reached the village's entrance. "Perhaps you could help us," Said Nayru, "We seek the teacher Rondansa, do you know where he dwells?" asked Nayru. "You are looking for Rondansa?" asked Londaris in amazement, "Yes," Said Karzad; "Well then that is quite a coincidence." Said Londaris, "He is my guardian and tutor, I will lead you to our home." He led them up another set of stairs near the corner of the city. There was a large homestead here and Londaris led them to the door. He knocked calling out, "Rondansa, it is Londaris, there are visitors here to see you." There was a pause and then a faint voice called from near the back of the house, "Show them in," Londaris opened the door and they walked into the oddest house they'd ever seen. There was a staircase in the corner of the room leading up to the other half of the building it seemed. The front room was cluttered and dusty. Books of all shapes and sizes were strewn about, along with strange artifacts, large cushioned chairs, bits of parchment, and quills all around. "Here, come this way," Londaris said, leading them over to the staircase. They went up and through the door into an open loft with two beds, two chests, a desk and a table. There was a ladder leading down. They went down the ladder and came into another strange untidy room. In the corner there was a kitchen-like area with a small table. The rest of the room was in utter chaos. There were even more books and objects lying about, along with jackets, boots and other garments thrown off and forgotten. Empty ink bottles lay everywhere, along with hundreds of broken quills and scribbled upon crumpled bits of parchment, littering the floor. And in the corner sprawled in a large winged armchair sat the strangest man they'd ever seen, with his face buried in an enormous book.
*****
He was very short, looking to be only about four foot three or so. He was very thin and pale, and looked as though he hadn't been out of his house in decades. He was very old too, his hair was whitish-gray and he had a long, hooked nose. On the end of his nose he had funny little oval shaped glasses. He looked a bit like an old bird. He looked up from his book and smiled widely. "At last, my visitors have come… Though I am wondering why you decided to take a dip on this chilly March day." He added surveying their sopping clothes. "I can explain," Said Londaris. "I was walking along the river bank and I fell in. They heard me call for help and dove in to save me." "Ah, a valiant deed on your own part, it is hard to find those of such valor these days…Very hard…" Rondansa said, drifting off. Karzad and Nayru stood there awkwardly while he stared off into space. "Oh!" He said suddenly, snapping back to reality, "I'm sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts for a moment there, but I understand you are here to learn of the rings." "Yes," Said Nayru, suddenly putting her right hand behind her back. She didn't feel like letting him know she had one of the rings quite yet. He already seemed to have noticed her movement though. "Do not worry, I already know that you bear a ring, Nayru, daughter of Link." Londaris spluttered. "She is a ring bearer?" he cried in amazement. "Yes," Said Rondansa, "I knew from the moment she entered the room that the goddess' blessing was upon her. In case you have not already guessed, Nayru, Londaris is a ring bearer as well." "He is?" She asked, surprised. "Yes, he received his ring one month ago, while playing in the graveyard a light overcame him and Farore spoke to him." "But how is that possible? I thought that all the ring bearers had to be born of a sage," "Well, Londaris was, he is the daughter of the Sage of the forest, Saria. But he is not fully Kokiri, he is half-Sheikah, as you will see from the brand on his forehead." Nayru and Karzad looked over and Londaris pushed up his bangs reluctantly. There was a small Sheikah crest there, in the shape of a little greenish eye. "I never knew that Saria had a son," "Neither does anyone else in Hyrule" Rondansa said. There was a long pause; "May I see your ring?" Nayru asked, trying to break the tension, "Sure," aid Londaris holding out his left hand. One his ring finger was a golden ring. It had silver runes covering it and three, silver leaves encircled a glowing emerald. "It's beautiful," Nayru said, looking down at it, "Yes," Said Londaris, "May I see yours Nayru?" "Of course," She said, walking over to him and showing it to him "It is lovely," He said examining the dainty silver band, with the delicate flowing runes and the dark blue sapphire. "What can you tell up about the rings?" Nayru asked as he studied her own. "Well, I am afraid you may want to sit down for this, it's a very long story,