~35~

The next morning Malon came and woke them up, giving them each a smile, a glass of refreshing Lon Lon milk and a bit of bread. After a while, when most had woken up, Malon whistled for the attention of those in the camp, who sat at their camps, looking rather sullen. They all perked up, looking at her expectantly.

"I have a gentleman here who is here to give you some good news." She said kindly. "So if y'all would kindly direct your attention," She said, ushering Karzad forward. Karzad stood before them, trying to draw himself up as tall as he could be. He stood by his glittering staff, and as the early sun struck his bold features, he seemed like someone important to the Hylians at the camp.

"People of Hyrule," he spoke in a strong voice. "I would like to introduce myself to you. Though some may not know of me, for I have remained hidden from the public eye for some time, I am King Karzad, of Hyrule."

A loud gasp came up from the crowd, they all began to chatter suddenly, but as Karzad spoke again, they fell silent.

"I have been hidden for some time as the prince. My mother, Queen Zelda, was killed in the destruction of Hyrule Palace. I was abroad at the time, because, myself, and these three people behind me." He motioned to Nayru, Londaris, and Zarij. "Were bestowed with legendary rings that allowed us…To destroy Ganondorf and liberate Hyrule." At this a loud cheer came up from the crowd, and was followed by much chatter and rejoicing and happiness.

After a moment Karzad drew back the crowd's attention.

"I am pleased to announce that you can all return to Castle Town safely. Go home." Another loud cheer went up and there was much bustling about. Karzad swept away as quickly as possible. He was still shy to speak to so many people, and excused himself quietly, saying there were others he had to tell this to. They headed for Lake Hylia next, where Malon told them she had seen some heading. They thanked her and soon were on their way.

*****

They went to the lake and arrived early that evening. There were shacks and tents set up there too, and the Zoras could be seen assisting the refugees around the water's edge. In the late dawn Karzad rounded up the Hylians and Zoras with Ruto's help and made a similar speech to the one at Lon Lon. There was much rejoicing there as well, and soon refugees were gathering their things and flocking back to Castle Town. They all decided to go to Nayru's house that night and stay.

They went across the lake in a little boat and on the far bank they scrambled up the grassy slope as Nayru's house rose in the distance. A little cobblestone path led up to the handsome house, which though usually bright and snug, looked empty and forlorn, having been forgotten for so long. They opened the door slowly. It was still untidy and cluttered inside, with chairs turned over and windows broken.

There was water damage where rain had come through the windows, and the food that had been in the cabinets now smelled. They lit candles and lanterns, along with the chandelier above, and got to work cleaning. They set the chairs back up, threw out all the old food, cleaned the mildew that had started growing on the floor and covered the windows. They went upstairs and de-cluttered the bedrooms and the bathroom too.

They all were famished by the time they were done, and Ruto went down to the cellar to see what kind of food they had left. She came back up with some crackers, dried meats and fruits, flask of wine and a pitcher of water from the well and some stale, but still good bread. After dinner they talked for a while, but quickly grew sleepy. They decided that Londaris and Zarij would sleep on cots downstairs, Ruto and Link would stay in their room, and Karzad would sleep on a cot in Nayru's room with her.

*****

Londaris lay on his cot, staring up at the ceiling. His body was fatigued from the days travel and work, but his mind was racing. A single question ran through his mind.

"Where is Rondansa?" He sat up on his cot with his head in his hands. He was scared.

"Are you alright?" asked a sleepy voice. From over on the other side of the room, Zarij was sitting up on her bed, squinting through the dark at Londaris.

"I'm alright, it's just…" he trailed off with a note of worry in his voice.

"What is it?" Zarij said, rising and walking over to him. She could see his troubled silhouette in the in the darkness. As she moved forward, one of the cloths covering a window fell to the floor and a moonbeam fell across half of his face, showing anxiety all over it. She sat down next to him on the cot and looked at him earnestly. "What is it Londaris?" she asked softly.

"It's that… It's Rondansa." He said at last. "I'm afraid for him…He was the only researcher left that knew so much about Hyrule than any before him. He is so wise…so kind… Even the Queen and her father before her looked to Rondansa for help in solving mysteries of Hyrule's past. Half the books in our house are written by him in the first place. And apart from all of that…he's my friend. I'm worried… Malon told me there had been chaos, panic, when the takeover began. She said that foul beasts that had remained hidden until then had swarmed, that Ganondorf's minions had begun a mass battle. There was danger everywhere. Once we defeated him they vanished but still… And I haven't found him yet… he's so old…so frail. I'm afraid for him."

He sighed deeply, his voice quavering with anxiety. "He's like a father to me. Ever since I was apprenticed there, I just…He loved me like a son. Saria never was able to look after me too much, being a sage, she had no time for me. And my father, he died soon after my birth. I never knew him. Melasef took care of me until I was about six…But he knew that the Sheikah would never fully accept me, being a half-breed. Then Rondansa came. He had been looking for an apprentice and said I was perfect. He raised me like his own. I just—I just don't know what I'd do without him." Zarij put an arm around Londaris and looked into his eyes.

"Londaris," she said, "I know that all you want is for Rondansa to be alright… unfortunately I don't know that he is…. But what I do know is that he loves you. You're much, much more than just his pupil; you are his son. Don't ever forget it. He cares for you. He's never had someone to care for but you, he'd buried his life in books until you came along. You kept him going Londaris, I know that now. There is not a doubt in my mind that you showed him what true love for someone is. …. And… And you showed it to me too." She smiled softly and pulled him into a hug. Londaris felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders as Zarij held him in her arms.

"I'm falling in love with you," he whispered softly into her hair. And they broke from their embrace.

"I've already fallen…" she whispered with a smile. She gave him a quick kiss, smiled, and then stood and went back over to her cot and lay down. He lay down as well, and shut his eyes, trying to fall asleep. What's the use? He thought, smiling softly to himself, his mind racing even faster than before.

*****

The next day they all got up and convened in the dining room for a quick breakfast and talk. Ruto went to the cellar and found a cured ham that was hung on the ceiling. She toasted some bread and cooked the ham with some butter that Malon had given them. They sat and ate and discussed where to look for more refugees next.

"Well, Londaris," said Karzad after a bit. "Is it alright, you think, to discuss what we spoke about earlier as a possible location of refugees?" he said this a bit off to the side, as though trying to block Link and Ruto from the conversation. Londaris thought for a moment but then, nodded. Karzad nodded in return and then turned more openly toward Link and Ruto.

"Well, as you know," Karzad said. "The Sheikah people were said to have scattered and died off after the Hylians came to Kakariko, their last remaining village, but what very, very few know is that, the Sheikah most certainly did not. They had a last hidden refuge, whose location is very sacred, and sealed by magic so none can trespass without the needed spells and enchantments.

Now, all of the people who carried these certain enchantments are all Sheikah. All but one man. He's a Hylian, but he rarely associates with the public, he's one of the greatest historians of Hyrule's time, and he's uncovered secret upon secret about the myths, legends, and stories Hyrule's history holds. He's a dear friend to Londaris, in fact, this man, named Rondansa, raised Londaris like a son. That's our connection to him. We lost track of Rondansa after Ganondorf's takeover, but I was speaking to Londaris, and we decided that it's definitely possible that Rondansa took some of the refugees to the Sheikah Village. Now, we will go there next, but both you, Link, and Ruto, must promise never to tell anyone of this place, it's the only place the Sheikah have left." Both Link and Ruto readily agreed to keep the Sheikah's secret, and soon, they were on their way.

******

They unloaded several smooth canoes from the houses shed in the back, and took off into the gleaming waters of Lake Hylia. They went over to the mouth of the Gerudo River, in the place where it met and fed into the lake. They fought the current of the river, Londaris leading the way. As they stroked through the foamy greenish waters Londaris suddenly pulled aside, onto an almost completely hidden back channel, that had been hidden completely to the naked eye by a curtain of dirty vines and moss. They glided silently through the calm smooth water of the currentless side stream, and soon reached a small docking area. They stepped onto the stone platforms, and tying off their boats, headed down a narrow stone corridor. It sloped down at first, and after a while leveled out. After about a quarter mile of weaving through tight mazelike tunnels that often forked off in different directions veering left and right often, led by Londaris, they reached a door at last.

It was a small, ordinary seeming door, but as Karzad stepped forward to open it, he touched the handle and was immediately thrown backward, as if magnetically repelled from it, landing behind the rest of the group on the hard flagstone floor. Nayru rushed over to his side as Karzad gingerly got to his feet, massaging his bruised backside.

"I'm sorry about that," said Londaris, "I tried to warn you, only Sheikah can touch the portal. All others are completely unable to pass through, if they manage to make it this far through the maze." Karzad smiled

"It's alright, I should have known that going through the door wouldn't be that easy," Londaris opened the door with no trouble at all, and they were led through it into a large chamber, the door slamming shut behind them. In the middle of the room there was a crevice that was at least twenty feet wide and fell into an abyss that didn't seem to have a bottom. While all the others seemed discouraged by this block in their path, as they could see no bridge across, and a ladder that led up to a door was on the other side, Londaris simply hopped lightly into the crevice.

"No!" Shouted Zarij, but instead of plummeting to his certain death, Londaris simply stood there completely nonplussed by the fact that he stood on thin air, and looking puzzled by their shocked expressions. He smiled.

"An illusion." Said Londaris plainly, "But enough to drive many back that get this far. Don't look so shocked, it's actually quite firm." He jumped up and down on the air for good measure, and his feet touched the invisible floor beneath him which remained firm and held him there quite easily. It seemed impossible that he was doing this, as the gorge into an unending abyss looked quite real and frightening, but it was plain that he was standing there, defying gravity. "Oh, and of course if you any of you were fool enough to try to step across this crevice without me, or any other Sheikah inviting you across it, well, you would plummet to your deaths… Our magic is very strong," he added, smiling at the looks on their faces. He walked through the air onto the other side of the crevice and then said, "Well come along, you all are welcome to cross our bridge." Very carefully Link came forward and set his foot out into the air. To his surprise the air held him up and carefully he made his way across. Emboldened by Link's success, the rest made their way across too. The air on top of the gorge shimmered for a moment as soon as they were all safely on the other side and then looked the same as it had before. "And see," said Londaris, picking up a stone and throwing it. The stone plummeted down the crevice into oblivion. "That stone had no invitation and certainly wasn't a Sheikah." He smiled again and they went on their way.

******

They went up the ladder and through a trap door and appeared outside on a grassy slope that rose up above a sweltering festering swamp that surrounded them on all sides. "This way," said Londaris, heading down the slope into the deep marshy terrain. They slogged on for what seemed like several miles until the land under their feet began to slope upward and become firmer, until they reached the city. All of them stood for a moment, marveling at its treetop beauty before they realized that there were many Hylians milling about the base of the giant trees. They too had set up ramshackle lean-tos to live in beneath the mammoth trees' protective branches above. As they neared the crowds of people a familiar form ran toward them.

"Londaris!" cried Melasef, hurling himself onto him and embracing him tightly.

"Melasef, I'm glad to see you too!" came Londaris's muffled voice. At last Melasef let go looking at them in a mixture of anxiety and relief.

"I was so worried when the attacks began! I knew you would go fight no matter which relics you had, and I was so worried about your survival!"

"I see now that the plague upon this land is over." He smiled, his eyes sparkling as he saw Karzad's staff.

"Did the phial come in handy young king?" he asked Karzad.

"Yes, it has saved the life of Hyrule's hero of time." He grinned pulling the empty phial from under his tunic. "Although I fear we have used up the last drops of this sacred elixir."

"Oh, not to worry," said Melasef, "You had a better use for it than any of us would have,"

"Um, Melasef, I don't mean to interrupt, but, where is Rondansa?" Londaris cut in. A shadow fell across Melasef's face.

**********

"I feared that you would ask me this my boy… He is…in the hospital ward."

"What?!" cried Londaris is fear "Why, what happened?"

"He was injured grievously while leading the Hylians to safety," Melasef said.

"A soldier of Gannondorf attacked and though he did his best to fend off the attack, he wasn't strong enough. He was stabbed twice with an enemy's sword. His lung was punctured and he lost a lot of blood. I'm sorry, but since he arrived he has been fading fast."

Londaris cried out in fear and distress before running over to the trees. He raced up the rope ladder, and skittering up a spiraling staircase, he disappeared from view.

"I feared he would react this way," Said Melasef sadly, "Rondansa is like a father to him." They all nodded solemnly and followed Melasef to the city's hospital building. Unlike most of the other houses and structures, the hospital was built inside the trees. Without harming these enormous plants, They had hollowed out rooms, halls, and rough-hewn staircases all throughout the grove of trees, with separate walkways connecting all the trees together. They went to the main entrance and Melasef led the way through mazes of wood-walled rooms, some empty and some holding patients. He led them on through winding hallways and stairwells. They at last reached a more secluded area, and Melasef opened a door into a sunny cool room. There was a wide window carved in the wall. The walls of the room had been sanded smooth and whitewashed, and Rondansa lay small and pale on a feather mattress, his breathing labored, a smooth white blanket pulled over him.

A nurse stood by the door as they entered and Londaris sat in a small wooden chair next to his bed, holding his frail weak hand in his own callused strong one.

"Rondansa," he muttered in misery. "I'm so sorry, I tried to find you… I'm sorry…" Suddenly, a warm breath escaped from between Rondansa's dry lips, and his eyes fluttered open. He straightened up quickly, but doubled over, and then lay back down, crying out in pain. "Rondansa!" Londaris cried in anxious happiness. Rondansa opened his eyes and blinked a few times before crying out

"Londaris!" then cringing from the pain of speaking. Londaris blinked tears back,

"What happened to you?" he murmured holding Rondansa's small hand tightly, stroking his fingers.

"Damn…" he muttered, wincing at the pain in his wounds before replying, "Stalfos…they…attacked us...I tried to protect…." At this he burst into racking coughs, holding a rag to his mouth as he hacked. When he pulled the handkerchief away it was spattered with blood. "I'm sorry." He mumbled, his voice barely a whisper.

"But, but it's okay!" said Londaris, "You'll get better, you can get better!" he said softly, forcing a pained smile. "The Sheikah are great healers, they can save you."

"They've done all they can," whispered Rondansa sadly, "They tell me that I can't last much longer… The wounds cut too deep, I've lost so much blood. My body is too weak to go on…" he whispered.

"No, no, you can't die. You just can't…" Londaris breathed.

"But I am dying son, I am leaving this place…"

"But, you can't go…You can't leave me…I know so little…about Hyrule…and you…" He sobbed, clutching his masters wrinkled hands.

"Listen to me, my son…I will never…leave you…" suddenly he pulled his hand away from Londaris's and groped under his loose linen shirt. He pulled a thin golden chain from around his neck and then shakily extended his arm out to Londaris, the necklace clutched in his wrinkled palm. He slowly opened his fingers. Londaris pulled the little chain from his hand, then clasped his own hand around Rondansa's. "You will find all you need. I promise. The house the horses it's all for you…take it all…" he began to cough weakly, now, his whole body shivering as each cough wracked his frail frame.

"I love you my son. You…are…all the life I need…"

"I love you," Londaris choked. A short breath escaped from Rondansa's lips, then he fell back onto his pillow. He was gone.

"No!" sobbed Londaris, gripping Rondansa's hand tightly in his fist. "No…no…" The rest stood in the doorway, trying their best to blink back tears. Zarij moved across the room and knelt next to Londaris. He fell down on his knees, tears falling freely, and embraced Zarij in a tight grasp. Londaris then felt a weight, a heaviness on his heart lift up and disappear, and he knew that Rondansa was at peace.

********

The nurse walked over slowly, and pulled the clean white blanket over his head. "I'll leave you alone." She whispered and then slowly left the room, closing the door behind her.

"What is it that he gave you?" asked Zarij softly, looking at the clenched fist of Londaris. He slowly opened his hand. On the end of the chain was a slim golden skeleton key.

"I know what this is." Murmured Londaris, inspecting the key carefully. "In my home," he said, lifting his head. "There is a room, it's a bit I like a cellar I imagine, as it's below the rest of the house…I always wondered what was In this room, but never found out, for Rondansa kept it locked up tight, and never allowed anyone in but himself. Often I asked him of it's contents, of what he kept inside, but he never told me…He'd say, 'Someday, when you are ready I will show you.' I suppose I'm…as ready as I'll ever be."

"Well you shall see it, you shall." Said Melasef, But first we must tell the refugees camped here of the good news.

"Oh, Melasef, I am so sorry, all these people, they now know of your secret land." Said Londaris.

"Not to worry son, for as well as magic protects from intruders, it also protects guests from remembering their stay, and returning. Yes, as soon as they leave these lands their memory will fade like the sun's light at dusk."

"What about our memories though? They didn't leave us." Said Nayru.

"Yes," said Melasef, "That is because you were here on invitation, we Sheikah are very careful about unwanted or unforeseen visitors, and what they recall of their visits."

So they all went back down, and standing on the massive roots at the foot of these great trees, they announced the news of Ganondorf's vanquish to the people. A great shout rose up to the highest boughs of the trees, as the Hylians rejoiced in their liberation. They stayed the night and the next day Londaris left them to see to Rondansa's funeral arrangements. He returned carrying an intricate Sheikah's urn.

"I think he'd want to stay with me." Said Londaris solemnly, holding the priceless urn with care. They decided, though beautiful the Shiekah city was, that they had to leave.

********

They called their horses and rode out of the swamp back to the entrance to the tunnel that led to Kakariko. They made their way through the winding tunnel, then entered the village from the back of the graveyard. They rode their horses out of the cemetery and back to Rondansa and Londaris's house. Many had already returned to Kakariko, but most simply stared out of windows, too afraid to come out quite yet. The fissures in the ground had been crossed with makeshift bridges of logs and planks of wood, and the burnt buildings had begun to be rebuilt.

Londaris led them into the paddock where they tethered their horses. They went around the side of the house, following Londaris, they came to a small rounded door in the side of the house. Londaris took the key from around his neck and put it in the lock, then opened the door.