~26~
"So it's true!" gasped Nayru. "The Sheikah truly have survived, and now dwell within a forbidden swamp. Why, I have heard tell of this place only in legend!" "And it should be kept this way, if you understand my meaning," Said Rondansa from up ahead. Londaris nodded. "No one must know of this place, for it is the only place left where my people can live in peace," Karzad and Nayru hastily agreed to keep the encampment's secret, as they moved through the steamy swamp. Soon they realized the ground began to slope upward. The twisting mossy trees began to thin, and sunlight broke through. They emerged out of the line of trees to a sight that took their breath away. There was a huge grove of giant trees, and sloping down from every tree was a long staircase, and each staircase led to a huge tree city. It glimmered with the morning dew, sparkling with bejeweled splendor. They trotted slowly toward the tree village. On each monstrous branch was a hut of bark and mud, and spiraling staircases led from one to the other. Swinging rope bridges led from one tree to the other, and walkways along the trees were already being used this morning by some surefooted Sheikahs. They looked up in awe at the shimmering wonder, as the sunlight filtered through the towering trees, and shone off the silvery bark. Londaris raised his head and put his fingers to his lips. He whistled long and loud in three sharp notes. Some faces looked down from the trees in wonder and after a brief moment, there was a silvery rope ladder dropped from above. Londaris climbed on first, then Rondansa, then Nayru and Karzad. They soon reached the platform from which it had been lowered. On it stood a tall Sheikah man, with short silver hair, he surveyed the four in silence, then, with a laugh; he embraced Londaris like an old friend. "Londaris!" he said, pulling him away and looking at him, "How much you've grown since I've seen you last, my lad! What brings you home, and with your master and these fine travelers?" he asked, surveying Nayru and Karzad. "I have come to speak to you about something." said Londaris, "Very important matters." he added in a graver tone, "But for now let us go to your hut and catch up!" He spoke after a pause, trying to lighten the mood. "Of course," boomed the Sheikah man, "And forgive my rudeness," he said to Nayru and Karzad, "My name is Melasef, I am a very old friend of Londaris." "My name is Karzad, and this is Nayru." Karzad said, gesturing toward Nayru. Melasef bowed to them and then led them over to a winding staircase. "My hut is just up these stairs," He said, pointing up at the hut just above them. They climbed the stairs quickly and went into Melasef's hut.
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It was scantily furnished. In the corner was a bed and a small chest. In the middle of the room there was a table and several stools. There was a small bookcase, and a little pantry and stove. "Sit down, sit down," Melasef said, "Welcome to my humble abode!" He waited until everyone else was seated around the table and then pulled up a stool for himself. "So Londaris, what brings you back to the village?" Melasef said. There was a pause. "I think, it would be better for Rondansa to explain all this to you." Said Londaris looking over at Rondansa. "Yes, Melasef, I think I have a better understanding of what is going on. You see, Ganondorf…He had returned to Hyrule." Rondansa said. Melasef repressed a gasp. "He has built a high security base in the Gerudo Valley, and had kidnapped the Hero of Time, who, is Nayru's father." Melasef quickly looked over at Nayru, and then turned back to Rondansa. "And Queen Zelda, though she and the other sages shall try valiantly to fight, we know only four can conquer the darkness." Rondansa looked long at Melasef and a light appeared in Melasef's eyes. He understood. "So the fabled rebirth of evil shall come to pass after all." Melasef said in a barely audible whisper. Rondansa nodded solemnly. "How many relic bearers have you found?" Melasef asked quickly. "Two," said Rondansa, "But we believe we know where one other may be." "Which relics have you collected?" He asked, "Only Nayru and Farore's rings. We believe we know where Din's ring is…but we still have no knowledge of who bears the staff of light. For as you know, that relic's bearer will not necessarily be a sage's child." Rondansa answered. They all sat in silence. "Din's ring…It wields terrible powers, should you not be searching for it?" Melasef said after a long pause. "Ah, that is why we are here Melasef, we need safe passage through these swamps so we can take the back routes to Gerudo Valley. There is where we believe the final ring to lie." Rondansa said. There was a pause. "You know I do not hold such a position that I can simply hand out passes through the swamp to whoever crosses through!" Melasef said, "It is above my rank in the city's council! We would have to call a meeting, receive verification from the elders—It could take weeks!" "Melasef, we know this is hard to do, but, this is no simple matter, you know how much is at stake here!" Londaris said. "I don't know, I would need royal verification from the castle!" "Consider it done." Karzad said, standing up. "As the prince of Hyrule, I grant you permission to bestow passes for safe passage through these swamps." Melasef was not expecting this, his eyes grew very wide and then he leapt to his feet and began bowing and mumbling his most sincere apologies. "Stop," said Karzad, and Melasef did at once. "Don't bother with foolish pleasantries, just, please, I am asking you not as a ruler, but as an equal. Will you help us?"
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"Goodbye Melasef! Thank you for everything!" Londaris called as the four rode away from the Sheikah village later the next day. They waved, as the beautiful treetop city disappeared from view. They rode for many miles, slogging through the marsh. They tried to keep out of the mire and mud as best they could, but often it was unavoidable. They rode until night fell and then Rondansa held up his hand for them to stop. "We had best camp here for the night. Let's try to find some dry ground and light a fire. They rode on until the sun's light had all but gone, and they found a dry hummocky area. They climbed up on one of the little hills and dismounted. They pulled off their bedrolls, and put them all in a circle. In the center they built a fire, and sat around it to warm themselves. They spoke little, mostly sitting in silence and listening to the eerie sounds of the swamp. Crickets and frogs chirruped from all around them. A wailing cry of a bird from nearby was heard. A mournful howl from a long way off could be caught echoing on the breeze. Stars sprang out in the cold black sky and a sharp wind chilled the four travelers as they stared into the fire. After a long while Rondansa cleared his throat. "Well," He said, "It's getting rather late, I think we ought to turn in, don't you?" The others made noises of agreement, and crawled into their bedrolls. The others fell asleep quickly, but Nayru lay awake looking up at the stars. "Two whole months." She whispered softly to herself. It had been two long months since she had woken up to an empty house. She looked over at Karzad's sleeping form. So much had happened since then. She sighed and looked back at the stars. Suddenly she gasped, adding up the days in her head…If her counting was right…then… It was the 27th of March…. Her birthday! She got up from her bedroll, and wrapped her cloak about her to keep out the biting winds. She walked over onto a different hummock and sat down. "Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm…." She hummed the familiar birthday tune to herself, looking up at the stars. "So much for a birthday." She mumbled, looking at the ground. Then she realized. The night before they were captured…Her gift. She pulled the pendant out from under her blouse and held it up in the silvery moonlight. She closed her eyes and pictured her mother and father… Holding her close… She loved them so much… And she missed them too. She put the pendant back under her shirt and then looked back at the sky.
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Just then she heard a voice from behind her. "It's not safe to be out here alone Nayru, what's wrong?" She turned around to see Karzad standing behind her, looking at her concernedly. "It's nothing…just that… It's my birthday… I'm fifteen today… My parents… They aren't here with me…" Nayru said, choking down a sob. "Oh Nayru." Said Karzad, sitting down next her and holding her in his strong arms. "It will be alright… it will be alright." He said over and over, rocking her in his arms. She put her arms around his neck and he slid his arms to her waist. "I love you…" she said, through tears, kissing him deeply. "I love you too," he said, kissing her back. Karzad pulled away from the kiss and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a little ivory box. He knelt in front of her and began to speak. "Nayru." He said. "I have only known you for a little while…But I feel like I have known you forever. I love you more than life itself and I want to spend eternity with you… I cannot express with words how much you mean to me... But I think I could try… by asking you… Will you marry me?" He opened the little box and there was a dainty golden ring inside. In the center was a beautiful pinkish pearl, encircled in silver with two tiny diamonds on either side. He pulled it out and slid it onto her finger, looking deep into her eyes. She began to cry again, but this time, with a beaming smile. "Oh Karzad! Of course! Oh thank you! I love you so much! Oh Karzad!" She hugged him tightly, kissing him. "I love you so much!" And then Karzad stood and took Nayru by the hand. He led her back over to the campsite and they both lay down in their beds. "I love you." Karzad said quietly. "And I you," she mumbled softly, and drifted off to sleep.