Repaying a debt
Disclaimer: Not mine [cries] but I want Sheik and Ganondorf! OH, interesting slash pairing that they make [hee, bad Soda].
Right, in the last chapter, I basically introduced you to the character and confused you a lot. You'll have fun with the next bits then! OH, and first person, because I've realised I suck at third [pouts]
Oh, and I got confused, so I'm using [] those for Alexis' thoughts, and {} those for Navi's thoughts - anymore and I'll have to search for a new extra brackets key...
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
"Holy demons!" I exclaimed as I walked into the pristine white stone building. It was huge - bigger than any temple I had ever been in before, and I had been to many worlds and many temples. Everything was made from white stone, or white marble - the only change in colour within the whole building seemed to be the three vivid gems floating above a slightly grey altar at the other end. It seemed a very long way off from where I stood.
I began the trek through the white building, being strongly reminded of home. The light from the windows filtered down upon me, and I realised I was not wearing my glasses. Hurriedly, I put them on; in the slight chance that one wandering soul should see my strange eyes. I hoped that I would not be kept waiting long - all I wanted to do was get on with the fighting so that I didn't have to think too much.
I searched for the information I needed for this part. I was to travel with the Hero of Time, whose name was...Link, yes, that was it! And a mysterious Sheikah boy...Sheik, how original. [I'm beginning to feel sorry for this hero,] I thought wryly. [Two mysterious travelling companions to deal with.]
I also wondered whether Rauru, who had called upon Loki for help in the first place, had told the other two of my joining them. I wasn't feeling up to questions and sexist crap after the events of the day so far. I really wanted to go back and kick the hell out of the guy at the Ranch - but I had made a promise not to.
Suddenly, I found myself before the altar, looking in wonder at the three stones. "Forest, fire and water," I remembered. Feeling foolish, I knelt down before the altar, thinking it only right to pay respects to the Goddesses I was serving there. Then, with abject apprehensiveness, I made to walk through the ajar Door of Time, and wait for the Hero within the enclave of the Master Sword.
I had walked no more than two steps within it when I heard a rustling behind me. I wrenched my sword from my back, feeling a slight tingle as the magical bonds were broken, and turned. [No one, what on Earth?] was the only coherent thought I managed before a body, taller and broader than mine, clad in blue, launched itself upon me. My sword clattered to the ground, and I tried to reach for it, but was stopped by a booted foot, which placed itself painfully upon my wrist.
"Ow, demons of darkness, what was that for?" I asked vehemently, trying to look up through my hair to see my assailant. It was to no avail - it was just long enough to obscure all vision completely. The foot was removed, and I felt a strong hand grasp my own, to pull me up from the hard floor.
"You cannot be too careful in times like this. Are you the fellow traveller Rauru spoke of?"
"Yes, I am. And I don't take kindly to being beaten the hell out of just for walking in here!" I looked up at him, wishing that I wasn't so short. He looked right back down with crimson eyes, and even though the bottom half of his face was covered, I could tell he was smiling. The smile didn't last long however, and his face returned to a serious, pensive look.
"As I said, one can't be too careful." I nodded, and rubbed my wrist, bending down to pick up my sword and place it back upon my back. "You are Hylian?" he asked, and I could sense mistrust there.
"Yes, I am," I answered stoutly. "And I'm here to help save this place no matter what injury it takes." I spoke with utter truth - I always had an annoying habit of becoming immediately attached to every world I was to save. If I had not, I don't suppose I would have put so much effort in. As such, my care was my saving, from both death, and injury.
"The Hero comes soon," the man said, looking at the pedestal on which the Master Sword had once lain. "He will be confused - and he knows not of either of us yet. Keep your weapon away, and let me do the talking." I nodded my understanding, and also gazed at the pedestal, noticing with a dumb disbelief that it too, was white.
There was a slight humming, and a blue glow appeared, staining the pedestal the colour of a cloudless winter sky. A shadow appeared within it, and I was vaguely reminded of something I would rather have forgotten forever. However, the de-ja-vu didn't last for long. The shadow turned into a tall figure, which was suddenly thrown from the portal onto the pedestal. It disappeared in a flash, and the figure sat up and groaned, rubbing his head. "Stupid portal," I heard him mutter, looking behind him at the space where it had been.
I sniggered at the undignified position he had landed in; it left little to the imagination. Really, a man of his age wearing tights was quite a sight to see. The man in blue glared at me, and I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh, and failing. The man in green on the platform looked up in shock, and drew the sword from the scabbard on his back. "Who are you?" he asked suspiciously, jumping up and taking a well-defended battle stance.
"We are friends, who are here to aid the fight against Ganondorf," the man of blue answered steadily. The one of green lowered his sword, vivid blue eyes looking unsure. "I am Sheik," the man of blue, now known to me as Sheik, withdrew a pair of beautifully crafted, curved twin knives, and lay them on the pedestal. "My knives and life I give to all Hyrule, and our journey to save it." He bowed, and the Hero looked impressed.
Sheik looked at me as he came back, and gave me a curt nod. I took my own sword from my back, and did the same. "Uhhh - yeah, what he said," I jerked my thumb to point back at Sheik, who I heard give a sigh of disbelief. The Hero however, smiled, and put his own sword on the gleaming marble of the platform also.
"Yeah, me too, what he said," he chuckled slightly, but the laughter, as always in worlds of trouble, did not last long. "I'm Link, and apparently I'm the Hero of Time. Which is news to me, considering I just thought I was a freaky Kokiri with no fairy..."
"What do you mean, no fairy?" a ball of pink flaming light popped out from under his hat, and seemed to punch him on the nose. "I'm Navi by the way," it said, coming over to me. As it got closer, I noticed it was a she, with a tiny feminine body and fluttering wings. Then, she flew back to Link, and started repeatedly hitting him on the head. He reached out and caught her, and stuffed her under his hat again.
"She's always grumpy after waking up," he explained, noticing the odd looks both Sheik and I gave him. He bent down, and picked up his sword to put it away. I went and got my sword and the twin knives, which I passed to Sheik. "So - umm - Rauru didn't really tell me much about what I had to do."
"Which is why you have me," Sheik stated proudly. "Rauru has told me of the locations of the Temples, and their melodies. However, without you and the Ocarina of Time, they are worthless, so we had to wait for you to awaken."
I shifted from foot to foot, feeling a little useless at this statement - all I knew was that there were five medallions to collect from the Temples, plus another two, before we would gain enough combined strength to combat Ganondorf. "Wait, I didn't catch your name," Link's voice broke into my thoughts, and I answered almost instinctively,
"I never threw it."
"Huh?" This confused noise snapped me out of my musing, and I looked at them both, confused myself.
"Oh, right - I'm," I grabbed a fake name out of mid-air, "Blaise, hero extraordinaire, here to uhhh - save things and stuff," I ended lamely, deciding I needed to work on my introduction of myself for the next world. They both looked at me oddly again, and then seemed to shrug it off. I wondered where I had gotten the name from - something from another world I supposed.
"So, Sheik, where do we go first?" Link asked.
"Kakariko," he answered immediately. "There is equipment there that you will need." Link nodded, and they both whirled and set off at a steady pace to the great doors of the Temple. With a last look upwards in an attempt to see the high ceiling, I turned to follow them as well, already feeling ignored. [I may be short, but that's no reason to look over my head like I'm not here!] I stared angrily at both their backs, hoping they would get the message just by me thinking angrily at them.
The pink orb, which was the fairy, Navi, came out from under Link's hat again. She flew backwards towards me, and alighted on my shoulder, close to my pointed ear. {You're a telepath!} came a shrill, excited voice in my head.
[Yes, I am,] I thought back. [Hello Navi - is Link always this rude, or is it just because he's tired?]
{Generally, he was nice when he was younger - but I don't know really - I was only with him a few weeks before he went into the big sleep and I had to go with him.}
[Oh...well, at least I'll have someone to talk to if you're around. Hey, you'd best go back, it looks like Link's missing you.] The orb rose off my shoulder and landed on Link's outstretched hand. He looked up at me interestedly, before putting the fairy on his shoulder, and beckoning me to walk next to him and Sheik. I hurried forwards, and fell into stride with them, the doors getting ever closer with each step.
*
Outside, I saw Link pause, and look around in surprise and horror at the devastation before him. I didn't blame him - I knew how much the place had changed just since the last reports of it three years ago. He knew how it had changed in seven. He shook it off quickly though, beginning to run from the Temple to the main square. "Watch out for the..." I began. 'Thud' was the only answer I got as a re-dead's head rolled on the floor. "Never mind," I said, looking in disgust at the trail of blood it had left.
I carried on after the two men, wishing I had a shield when I noticed both of them did. They had a whole arsenal of weaponry, compared to my one sword. But, my sword was bound to be better than any of their stuff, because it was made specifically for me. It grew with me, so when I had been even smaller (hard to believe, but true) it was the right size for me. And, it was made from mithril - stronger even than diamonds, and just as valuable.
The bridge was in even worse a state than it had been when I entered. The fast flowing Zora River had managed to carry away two more planks, so that there was a huge gap to leap between the remaining planks and the opposite bank. Sheik jumped across, landing like a cat on the other side, and Link followed, landing a little less gracefully on his behind.
Sheik started detaching some rope from his belt, and I sighed mentally [men]. I heard a slight giggle answer back from Navi, who buzzed around Link's head. I geared up, hoped I wouldn't completely miss the bank, ran, and leapt. With a sudden thud, I was on the other side, still on my feet, being stared at by a surprised Hero and Sheikah. "Where to again?" I asked, brushing my hair out of my eyes.
Sheik stared blankly for a second, before regaining himself enough to answer, "Uh - Kakariko." Link had managed to get off the ground by this time, and was dusting off his green tunic. [Yeah - so now women can't jump?] I asked Navi, who I could hear giggle out loud.
{Apparently not. Oh, looks like we're going}, she flew to land on Link's shoulder. Sheik set off for the bridge over the River, which would lead to the entrance to Kakariko. It was so far off that we couldn't see it, and I bet that we would not reach it before night fell. More Poes always came out at night. I felt grateful that at least I would have some company on this eerie field.
I set off after Sheik; Link was taking up the rear with his sword and shield at the ready. "That was one cucco of a leap!" he said, and I took that as his version of an icebreaker.
I shrugged, "I was taught balance and fighting skills. It's a second nature now."
"Lucky," he breathed, then looked directly at me. "I've never had any training or anything. To be honest, I dunno if I can be a hero." I blinked at him, and felt like I was going to explode with laughter.
[The amount of times I've heard that one...] I directed at Navi, and then spoke out loud to Link. "The fact that you doubt yourself shows that you must be. He that is content with his talents has not talent, merely a misused gift that the Goddesses shouldn't have given." [Think he'll be convinced Navi?]
{Yeah, that should more than do it,} she tinkled. And, it did - he nodded, smiled, and looked a little less apprehensive than before.
"What part of Hyrule are you from? I've not heard that accent before." I panicked at that one, and adamantly kept the link between Navi and me closed. After a search through my mind, I came up with the best answer I could think of.
"I'm a born Hylian, but I was sent across the water to live with my elvean cousins when my family..." I couldn't finish that sentence - too close to home. He understood, however, and nodded sympathetically. Navi seemed to realise that I wouldn't want her in my mind at that precise moment, and kept the link at her end tight shut.
Sheik looked around from his position a few feet ahead of us. Then he looked up, as did I. "Run," he hissed. "The trees, hurry!"
"Why?" Link asked bemusedly, but there was no time for explanation. I took one arm, Sheik the other, and we practically carried him to the small copse of trees. There, we dropped him, and crouched down ourselves within the underbrush.
Looking out, I saw a band of the cleverest warriors known - humans that had turned over to the other side. Like I did, once, unintentionally... Damn memories! I looked again, and could see that there were also Stalfos covered head to toe in strong armour. A black horse came in the middle of the band. The man upon it was shrouded by a long black cloak, which rose to hide his face in a large cowl.
Wanting to see the face of the adversary we were aiming to combat in the end, I leant forwards. Link, sitting up slowly from where we had dropped him, nonetheless managed to knock me hard in the small of the back. I swayed, and pulled my arms back to try and stop my fall. It didn't work, and I toppled forwards, only to be stopped by a sudden jerk. Sheik had gotten hold of my sword, and was trying to pull me back.
I panicked, as I could feel it slipping off, but couldn't manage to set myself straight. With a soft rasp of metal on fabric, my sword came away from my back. Sheik gasped quietly, as I fell forward with a small, but audible, crunch into the dead leaves. I bit my tongue to stop from yelling out as sharp briars raked the side of my face. My glasses cut into the bridge of my nose.
The procession stopped as the man on the horse raised his hand. It parted before him, allowing him to come towards the copse. Sheik and Link crawled backwards silently, but I knew they would never be able to hide. Cursing my clumsiness, I heaved myself from the ground, and bolted away from the copse, running parallel to the procession. It achieved exactly what I had hoped, drawing the rider away from the copse after me.
{What are you doing?} Navi's voice shrieked in my head.
[Drawing him away - I'm unarmed and practically a child - I know these people. They'll beat me up a bit, and then leave me for dead in the field. Tell Link and Sheik to stay there. When they are far enough away, tell them to run to Kakariko, and I'll meet them there.]
{But, what if they hurt you too bad?}
[They won't, now, tell them, and quietly!] The link was shut again, and I could feel my body with intense sensations running down my sides. I had never been a sprinter, and all this running was killing me. However, if I was going to draw them off, I had to keep going as far as I could, so I exerted more pressure on my legs, maintaining a fast speed. My hair was completely in the way, and I wished for a crew cut so that I could at least see.
Looking around, the copse was almost half a mile behind, and I congratulated myself on a good run. The rider was still quite a way behind, having only started following me a few seconds before. I turned forwards again, put my head down and pumped my legs as hard as I could. The hoof beats of the horse gained on me quickly, and soon all I could hear was the thunder of them in my ears.
I turned again, and saw the glint of dark eyes within the cowl. The rider pulled the horse even faster, so that it ran around to in front of me. I ducked and weaved to the right, going as near to the horse as I dared to try and make it rear. It was too well trained, so I just decided to carry on running instead.
A whip lash cut across my back, the crack ineffably loud. I squeaked - right across my shoulder blades. [Bastard! Ow, demons and hell, ow!] I heard the whip cut down again, and felt it attach around my wrist. I felt strangely reminded of the cowboy movies I had once watched upon a 'television' on some other world somewhere.
I looked around one last time, and stumbled backwards over my feet, landing flat on my back, facing the sky. [Well, at least I'm far enough away from the copse] I thought through a haze of pain that had suddenly caught up with me. The dark rider dropped down from his horse, and stamped over to me, his heavy boots shaking the ground. The whip was pulled hard and came off my wrist, leaving a red ring around it. The only thing vaguely intact about me were my glasses.
"What are you doing out on the field alone, lady?" he asked, in a surprisingly soft voice. I could detect a steely hint there though - a coldness that no amount of training could take away. However, to the enemy, one is always defiant - either that, or you fall into the trap of trusting them too much. I was not prepared for that again, so defiance as always.
"What's it to you?" I replied darkly. The man reached down and lifted me up by the excess material at the front of my tunic. He, like everyone else, managed to tower over me, but he was a lot more menacing than either Sheik or Link. Then, he put me down again on my own two feet; his cowl flew back as he did so. [Wow!] Was the thought that managed to flash through my mind before another flash saw a sword at my throat.
He looked down at me with deep brown eyes, a few fiery tresses of hair framing a chiselled, tanned face. The kind of hair you could twist your hands in and... I slapped myself inside [get a grip!] and stared defiantly up at him.
"Eurgh, I don't have time for this," he growled, taking the sword away. "Take her to the steps of Kakariko and leave her there."
"Yes, Sire Ganondorf," a guy I took to be one of his many henchmen, said.
[Ganondorf? This is Ganondorf? I should have known...Hang on - letting me go? What in all-] My thought was cut off by a firm hand on my shoulder. It was the 'henchman'.
"Go," the man, now known to me as Ganondorf, my one goal of helping to kill, barked. He swung up onto the saddle of his dark horse, and turned away. "Oh, and lady, do not wander the field alone - I am not always here to give the orders." Then, he dug his knees into the flanks of the horse, and galloped away.
"Come along, milady," the loyal henchman said, guiding me to a small cart, drawn by two thoroughbred looking horses. "Sit." He pushed me into the back, and tied my wrists together, joining them onto an iron hoop in the floor of the cart. Then, he walked around to the front, hopped on, and with a "Hyahh!" the cart began to move.
Ashamedly, the rocking motion of the cart managed to lull me into a semi sleep. Hours later, when the henchman untied my wrists and kicked me out of the cart, I rolled over and looked up at the stars, feeling my shoulder blades were on fire. "Hyahh!" came again, and the horses clopped away. Groaning, I crawled up the steps into the village of Kakariko, saw the guard at the gate, and collapsed seeing him running towards me.
~*~*~*~
I rolled over and groaned as a slant of sunshine hit my closed eyes. [Eurgh - sunshine] I thought, scrunching my eyes up as well as I could. I reached up and rubbed the bridge of my nose. [Hey, where'd my glasses go?]
{They're on the table next to you} came a familiar voice. {Glad you're awake at last, you crazy girl. We thought you'd died!} I felt a small body hurtle into my nose, and hug it with small arms. {But you're OK!}
[Calm down Navi!] I grinned, reaching out my hands and searching out the glasses. When I found them, I tipped my head forwards so that my hair fell in the way of my eyes. I opened them, and stuffed the glasses on before looking around. [Whose house?]
{Oh, just someone charitable enough to take us in. Hey - that'll be Sheik and Link coming up.}
[I'm not dressed!] I pulled the covers over myself, and attempted to stand up. The trailing ends caught up underneath my feet, and I was sent sprawling to the floor, just as Sheik and Link opened the door. With a squeak, I curled up, and pulled the covers so tightly around myself I thought I'd suffocate. [Oh, Goddesses, you don't think they saw anything?]
{No, don't worry!} Navi laughed crazily.
"Uh - right. Shall I ask or not?" Link looked a little surprised to find my lying full length on the floor.
"Best not," I answered, feeling my cheeks burn. I stood up, holding the covers defensively, and moved back over to the bed to sit down. They both looked as though they were about to laugh, and I managed a grin. "Uh, yeah...just wondering. Do you happen to know what happened to my...?" I trailed off, but it was obvious they understood.
"Oh, right. NO! That wasn't, I mean, we didn't-"
"What he's trying to say is, Eloise got you all cleaned up and stuff," Sheik said matter-of-factly, jabbing a red-faced Link in the ribs. "And, Link's already gotten the piece of equipment he needed from Kakariko, so we can set off again as soon as you are ready."
I jumped up, covers still entwined around me. "I'm ready! Or at least, I will be - where's this Eloise?"
"Right here, dear. Here's your clothes," a middle-aged woman entered, and handed me a bundle of clothes. "I put in some new ones since you'll be travelling so long; breakfast's ready," this last one she directed at Sheik and Link, who turned around to follow her.
"Oh," Sheik turned back, and pointed to the wardrobe, "Your sword's in there." He carried on down the stairs, and I leant forward to nudge the door shut with my elbow. Then, I dropped the bundle of clothes on the bed. I went over to the wardrobe and flung open the doors, smiling when I saw that my sword was indeed there, none the worse for wear. I picked it up, and ran a finger over the blade. A thin scarlet line appeared on my finger.
"At least it doesn't need sharpening then," I mused, placing it upon the bed with the clothes. I sorted through them, noticing that Eloise seemed to have picked up on the fact that I was a person for dark colours. There were three extra tunics, each with matching trousers, as well as my own tunic and trousers. Also, there were the necessary undergarments, the details of which needn't be told.
I put on my original black tunic-trouser set, and looked at the other three. There was one of deep ruby red, one of shadowy sapphire, and the third of emerald green. [Like the three elemental stones...how appropriate]. I picked the red one up to re-fold it, and a small spark of magic tingled across my shoulder blades. [Ah, of course. A Goron tunic and Zora tunic - I wonder about this green one though...Kokiri perhaps?] I shrugged, and carried on re-folding the clothes, realising I had nothing in which to carry them.
Eloise, who seemed to have a finely attuned sixth sense about her, answered this dilemma. She barrelled through the door. "Come on, young lady, you must eat before you leave. Oh, and here's a pack for all those new clothes - don't worry, I don't need any payment, share and share alike is my motto. Come on, come on, or those two young men will eat it all!"
She ushered me out of the room, along the hallway and down the stairs into a lounge/kitchen area. She carried on jabbering away, and I wasn't able to take all that she said in, just nodding at the appropriate places.
Sheik and Link were stuffing their faces at the table, and my stomach flip- flopped at the smell of food. I dropped into the remaining chair, and quickly devoured the bread and milk passed my way by Eloise. And, then another helping - and another. Sheik and Link had stopped eating by that point. I myself gave up after the fourth helping, and jumped up, full of energy again. "I don't think I'll need to eat for a week after that!" I told Eloise, who smiled brightly.
"From what I've heard, you might not get the chance to. I hear you three fancy yourselves as heroes?" she inquired, and I looked at Sheik and Link sharply. To my surprise, it was Link who replied.
"We don't consider ourselves heroes exactly - we're just trying to help out. You needn't worry about us, we will not do anything foolish." Eloise seemed calmed, and I myself was shocked.
[Who'd know by his face he knew such discretion?]
{I know - he surprises me too.}
[Yeah...] I noticed that Sheik too was looking at Link in surprise, but blinked and looked at me.
"Are you all ready?" he asked and I nodded. "Right - Link, we'd best be going," he got up off his chair, and Link and I followed his example. "Lady Eloise, thank you for your hospitality - I hope we can repay you someday." He shook her hand firmly.
[Smooth git.] Navi laughed at that one. "Eloise, thanks for the tunics, and the food - and well, everything." I shook her hand as well.
"Farewell Eloise - may that we meet again under happier circumstances," Link shook her hand as well, and followed out of the door.
[O-K. Why does everyone else except me speak fancy talk?]
{Don't worry - you're easier to understand.}
[I should hope so!]
*
Outside the door, the sun hit me in the face again. Oh how I hated the sun! I repositioned my glasses more securely on my nose, and followed the tall figures before me. Kakariko was surprisingly busy for such an early hour, and I wondered about the inhabitants' sanity at choosing to be up so early. However, we exited the village soon enough, and were out once more in the open field.
I could see no changes from the last time we had walked within it, which I saw as a bonus. Knowing that there hadn't been a mass culling of the whole populace raised my spirits a fraction. "Where are we going now then?" I asked Sheik.
"The Forest - that's where the first Temple is. We need to awaken the Sage, and gain the medallion from them to add power to our own." I nodded, and we carried on walking in silence - well, apart from Navi and I, who spent most of the journey to the Forest sending sarcastic comments to one another telepathically.
[I don't like him - he's too clever - clever men aren't natural.]
{Hehe, you really are an odd girl, you know that?}
[Yeah, and I'm proud of it. Eurgh, if being normal means I have to wear a dress and stop doing any type of exercise, then there's no way I want to be normal.]
{I see your point - hey, that reminds me, have you been to the Ranch?}
[Yes, why?]
{Oh - there's just an old friend of Link's that lived there. I was wondering if she was still there. If she is, I should remind Link to see her.}
[What's her name?]
{Malon.}
[Malon? Redhead?]
{Did you see her?}
[Sure I saw her - she was in a bad way - this guy's running the Ranch, and he was yelling at her and stuff. I tried to get her out, but she said he'd hurt the horses, and wouldn't come. And she made me promise not to hurt him...]
{Oh Goddesses, everything is fallen to darkness. I'll have to tell Link, we need to get her out!}
[I'm not sure that's such a good-] It was too late.
"Link, Link, HEY, Link, listen to me you stupid Hylian!" She whacked him hard on his hat-covered head. "We gotta go to the Ranch, Malon's in trouble!"
"How do you know?" Link asked, even as he turned west towards the Ranch.
[Don't tell him it was me!] I pleaded.
{I won't.} "I just know," she answered him. "Get your ass moving, before I give you something to really worry about!" She whacked him on the head again, and he sped up. Sheik and I followed behind him. I breathed heavily with all the running, and wished I hadn't said anything. However, we would be saving that girl - and maybe she would lift the ban on me hurting that guy, so I could punch his sorry face in...
~*~*~*~
It was mid-afternoon when we reached the Ranch. Link was still managing a steady top speed, whereas Sheik was lagging about a hundred yards behind. I myself lagged about five hundred yards behind Sheik, and stumbled the last stretch clutching my sides and wheezing. "Running isn't your strong point, is it?" Sheik asked scornfully, already breathing normally.
I straightened up as best I could. "Yeah, well, generally, I don't need to run away from the enemy," I answered spitefully, and he glared at me. I gave up the standing up option, preferring to sit on the grass panting. Link ran through the main gate into the Ranch, and sighing heavily, I got up and wearily followed him. I looked back at the still glaring Sheik. "Oh, come on, we can't leave him alone. He's bound to do something stupid!"
The corners of his eyes twitched in a smile at this, and he came up with me. "I suppose you're right - I don't suppose he can have learnt much being asleep for seven years." I nodded, taking deep steadying breaths, and managing to maintain a dignified posture again. "Here," he hooked his arm under mine, and let me lean on his shoulder.
"Thanks. Oh Goddesses, what IS he doing?" I looked over at the paddock, where Link was riding around on a mangy looking horse. The man by the entrance to the paddock spotted us, and we walked over.
"I am Ingo, the owner of this Ranch. Ah, Sir and Miss, how may I help you?" he asked, and I recognised his voice as the one that had yelled at Malon. Sheik must have noticed me tense, because he shoved me behind him, and spoke to the man, keeping a firm grip on my wrist so I wouldn't suddenly leap at him.
"We're merely here to look at the horses," he said smoothly, gesturing with his free hand at the paddock. "It is said the best horses in all Hyrule come from here, and we wanted to see for ourselves."
"Ah, very good, very good. When you see a creature you like, don't hesitate to point it out to me." He walked off over to Link. "I'm afraid your time is up sir. Would you like another ride? Or perhaps a race, for a wager of, say, fifty rupees?"
"No, I don't think," Link began, but I cut in, knowing we desperately needed the money.
"Of course he will, won't you old friend?" I slapped him on the back, and then jabbed him in the ribs.
"Oh - I guess that answers your question then," Link faked a smile.
"Splendid!" Ingo said, "Just choose your horse, and we'll be off." He walked off and got up onto the back of a tan coloured steed. Link took out his Ocarina - the Ocarina of Time, and played a beautiful melody upon it.
"What are you doing?" I hissed, but he just waved me off, walking over to a chestnut creature that had come over at the song. He swung up into its saddle, and moved to the start line.
"Ready...GO!" Ingo yelled, and they began to race. Link quickly took the lead, and kept it easily, crossing the finish line long before Ingo. Ingo looked flustered at the loss.
"If the great Ganondorf found out about this humiliation... Hey, you! How about another race? If you win...you get the horse." Link accepted immediately, and they raced again. Link won again, and Ingo held his head in his hands in shame, before suddenly seeming to notice the horse which Link had been riding.
"You cheated!" he shrieked. "That's Epona! She takes no riders, what did you do? That horse was meant for the great Ganondorf. But, a bet is a bet..." he smiled darkly. "I'll just never let you leave this Ranch!" He swung the gates shut, and laughed harshly.
"Yeah, like that's really going to stop him," I whispered to Sheik. Sure enough, Link just turned Epona around, lined her up, and leaped the outer wall. Ingo yelled loudly, clutching his head as he saw his prize horse go over the wall. He turned, and suddenly, I noticed Malon leaning against the wall of the stable, smiling at Ingo's defeat. The smile fell however when Ingo began to advance upon her.
"I think now I can hurt him, right?" I asked Sheik.
"Go for it," he nodded, and I launched myself at Ingo. I landed a kick to the back of his legs, causing him to fall forwards, and a kick to the back of his head, knocking him out cold.
"Hi Malon," I smiled brightly. She looked at me, then at Sheik, then at the unconscious Ingo, then me again. Then, she smiled tentatively back.
"You got Epona out...thank you, thank you!" she ran towards me, and caught me in a deadly bear-hug. I tapped her on the back, and she pulled away. "Sorry, don't know my own strength - Fairy boy?" she looked over my shoulder.
"Hi Malon," Link's voice came from behind me. I moved out of the way, and allowed Link and Malon their reunion. "He won't bother you anymore - and your father's coming - I met him on my way back in."
"Daddy?" she asked, and he nodded. She gave him one of the deadly hugs as well, and then ran to a man who had just come through the re-opened main gate. They hugged and kissed and cried, and I felt a pang of emptiness. I had never known such family...
{Are you all right Blaise?} Navi asked me softly.
[Oh - yes, of course. It's just good to see her happy.]
{Yeah.}
Malon turned back, and looked at Link. He flushed pink. [I think someone's in love!] I squeaked to Navi, who laughed.
"Fairy boy? Where've you been?"
"I can't really tell you - but I'll come back real soon, I promise. We have to go, don't we?" he looked at Sheik and I for back up. We got the hint, and nodded fervently. "Here's Epona back," he handed Malon the horse's reins. She shook her head and handed them back.
"I want you to take her. She can run free on the field, and she'll come when she hears her song." Link looked stunned, and didn't immediately take the reins back. "It's a gift," she said, forcing the reins back into his hand. He nodded, and held out a hand for her to shake. She took it, and grasped it for a longer time than necessary.
[Aww, how sweet.] I thought. I heard Navi retch. Her father came up, and fished into his pockets - he bought out two purple rupees.
"Here, take this - you may find it useful - and it's my thanks." Link took the two rupees as well. One hundred rupees would cover us for a while!
Then, all of a sudden, we were leaving the Ranch, Link at the back, leading a quiet Epona behind him, and Sheik leading as usual. Malon's "Goodbye!" fluttered after us as we traipsed out, having been in the Ranch only an hour, and completely changed everything around.
[Heroes, one. Ganondorf, nil!] I thought.
{We've still got a long way to go yet, don't go celebrating yet!}
[Spoilsport.]
{I'm just telling you to be wary.}
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
Oh dear! I hope those thought things didn't confuse you too much, cos I know they did me. But, I am better at first person, ni? Or am I just a misinformed fool who should get back to her sofa and play the games some more before she even thinks of writing anymore. Mind you, this is an a/u, so all I need to know is the temples and a few cameo characters. The rest is up to my imagination and me.
Imagination - yeah...that's what it is. No voices at all, all done by me.
[Muffled squeaks of indigence] HEY! We voices do all the work, and get no credit!
[Nervous laugh, and a thud as she kicks something] Oh, pay no attention, that was just the TV.
[Muffled voices] TV OUR ARSE!
[Another kick, and then silence] TV off. Go and review now!
Go, go, go!
I'm a review-a-holic, gimme me my poison!
REVIEW!
Oh yeah, Eloise is back! I love her for an extra - she cooks, she washes, and she's strangely like my mum...weird.
Disclaimer: Not mine [cries] but I want Sheik and Ganondorf! OH, interesting slash pairing that they make [hee, bad Soda].
Right, in the last chapter, I basically introduced you to the character and confused you a lot. You'll have fun with the next bits then! OH, and first person, because I've realised I suck at third [pouts]
Oh, and I got confused, so I'm using [] those for Alexis' thoughts, and {} those for Navi's thoughts - anymore and I'll have to search for a new extra brackets key...
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
"Holy demons!" I exclaimed as I walked into the pristine white stone building. It was huge - bigger than any temple I had ever been in before, and I had been to many worlds and many temples. Everything was made from white stone, or white marble - the only change in colour within the whole building seemed to be the three vivid gems floating above a slightly grey altar at the other end. It seemed a very long way off from where I stood.
I began the trek through the white building, being strongly reminded of home. The light from the windows filtered down upon me, and I realised I was not wearing my glasses. Hurriedly, I put them on; in the slight chance that one wandering soul should see my strange eyes. I hoped that I would not be kept waiting long - all I wanted to do was get on with the fighting so that I didn't have to think too much.
I searched for the information I needed for this part. I was to travel with the Hero of Time, whose name was...Link, yes, that was it! And a mysterious Sheikah boy...Sheik, how original. [I'm beginning to feel sorry for this hero,] I thought wryly. [Two mysterious travelling companions to deal with.]
I also wondered whether Rauru, who had called upon Loki for help in the first place, had told the other two of my joining them. I wasn't feeling up to questions and sexist crap after the events of the day so far. I really wanted to go back and kick the hell out of the guy at the Ranch - but I had made a promise not to.
Suddenly, I found myself before the altar, looking in wonder at the three stones. "Forest, fire and water," I remembered. Feeling foolish, I knelt down before the altar, thinking it only right to pay respects to the Goddesses I was serving there. Then, with abject apprehensiveness, I made to walk through the ajar Door of Time, and wait for the Hero within the enclave of the Master Sword.
I had walked no more than two steps within it when I heard a rustling behind me. I wrenched my sword from my back, feeling a slight tingle as the magical bonds were broken, and turned. [No one, what on Earth?] was the only coherent thought I managed before a body, taller and broader than mine, clad in blue, launched itself upon me. My sword clattered to the ground, and I tried to reach for it, but was stopped by a booted foot, which placed itself painfully upon my wrist.
"Ow, demons of darkness, what was that for?" I asked vehemently, trying to look up through my hair to see my assailant. It was to no avail - it was just long enough to obscure all vision completely. The foot was removed, and I felt a strong hand grasp my own, to pull me up from the hard floor.
"You cannot be too careful in times like this. Are you the fellow traveller Rauru spoke of?"
"Yes, I am. And I don't take kindly to being beaten the hell out of just for walking in here!" I looked up at him, wishing that I wasn't so short. He looked right back down with crimson eyes, and even though the bottom half of his face was covered, I could tell he was smiling. The smile didn't last long however, and his face returned to a serious, pensive look.
"As I said, one can't be too careful." I nodded, and rubbed my wrist, bending down to pick up my sword and place it back upon my back. "You are Hylian?" he asked, and I could sense mistrust there.
"Yes, I am," I answered stoutly. "And I'm here to help save this place no matter what injury it takes." I spoke with utter truth - I always had an annoying habit of becoming immediately attached to every world I was to save. If I had not, I don't suppose I would have put so much effort in. As such, my care was my saving, from both death, and injury.
"The Hero comes soon," the man said, looking at the pedestal on which the Master Sword had once lain. "He will be confused - and he knows not of either of us yet. Keep your weapon away, and let me do the talking." I nodded my understanding, and also gazed at the pedestal, noticing with a dumb disbelief that it too, was white.
There was a slight humming, and a blue glow appeared, staining the pedestal the colour of a cloudless winter sky. A shadow appeared within it, and I was vaguely reminded of something I would rather have forgotten forever. However, the de-ja-vu didn't last for long. The shadow turned into a tall figure, which was suddenly thrown from the portal onto the pedestal. It disappeared in a flash, and the figure sat up and groaned, rubbing his head. "Stupid portal," I heard him mutter, looking behind him at the space where it had been.
I sniggered at the undignified position he had landed in; it left little to the imagination. Really, a man of his age wearing tights was quite a sight to see. The man in blue glared at me, and I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh, and failing. The man in green on the platform looked up in shock, and drew the sword from the scabbard on his back. "Who are you?" he asked suspiciously, jumping up and taking a well-defended battle stance.
"We are friends, who are here to aid the fight against Ganondorf," the man of blue answered steadily. The one of green lowered his sword, vivid blue eyes looking unsure. "I am Sheik," the man of blue, now known to me as Sheik, withdrew a pair of beautifully crafted, curved twin knives, and lay them on the pedestal. "My knives and life I give to all Hyrule, and our journey to save it." He bowed, and the Hero looked impressed.
Sheik looked at me as he came back, and gave me a curt nod. I took my own sword from my back, and did the same. "Uhhh - yeah, what he said," I jerked my thumb to point back at Sheik, who I heard give a sigh of disbelief. The Hero however, smiled, and put his own sword on the gleaming marble of the platform also.
"Yeah, me too, what he said," he chuckled slightly, but the laughter, as always in worlds of trouble, did not last long. "I'm Link, and apparently I'm the Hero of Time. Which is news to me, considering I just thought I was a freaky Kokiri with no fairy..."
"What do you mean, no fairy?" a ball of pink flaming light popped out from under his hat, and seemed to punch him on the nose. "I'm Navi by the way," it said, coming over to me. As it got closer, I noticed it was a she, with a tiny feminine body and fluttering wings. Then, she flew back to Link, and started repeatedly hitting him on the head. He reached out and caught her, and stuffed her under his hat again.
"She's always grumpy after waking up," he explained, noticing the odd looks both Sheik and I gave him. He bent down, and picked up his sword to put it away. I went and got my sword and the twin knives, which I passed to Sheik. "So - umm - Rauru didn't really tell me much about what I had to do."
"Which is why you have me," Sheik stated proudly. "Rauru has told me of the locations of the Temples, and their melodies. However, without you and the Ocarina of Time, they are worthless, so we had to wait for you to awaken."
I shifted from foot to foot, feeling a little useless at this statement - all I knew was that there were five medallions to collect from the Temples, plus another two, before we would gain enough combined strength to combat Ganondorf. "Wait, I didn't catch your name," Link's voice broke into my thoughts, and I answered almost instinctively,
"I never threw it."
"Huh?" This confused noise snapped me out of my musing, and I looked at them both, confused myself.
"Oh, right - I'm," I grabbed a fake name out of mid-air, "Blaise, hero extraordinaire, here to uhhh - save things and stuff," I ended lamely, deciding I needed to work on my introduction of myself for the next world. They both looked at me oddly again, and then seemed to shrug it off. I wondered where I had gotten the name from - something from another world I supposed.
"So, Sheik, where do we go first?" Link asked.
"Kakariko," he answered immediately. "There is equipment there that you will need." Link nodded, and they both whirled and set off at a steady pace to the great doors of the Temple. With a last look upwards in an attempt to see the high ceiling, I turned to follow them as well, already feeling ignored. [I may be short, but that's no reason to look over my head like I'm not here!] I stared angrily at both their backs, hoping they would get the message just by me thinking angrily at them.
The pink orb, which was the fairy, Navi, came out from under Link's hat again. She flew backwards towards me, and alighted on my shoulder, close to my pointed ear. {You're a telepath!} came a shrill, excited voice in my head.
[Yes, I am,] I thought back. [Hello Navi - is Link always this rude, or is it just because he's tired?]
{Generally, he was nice when he was younger - but I don't know really - I was only with him a few weeks before he went into the big sleep and I had to go with him.}
[Oh...well, at least I'll have someone to talk to if you're around. Hey, you'd best go back, it looks like Link's missing you.] The orb rose off my shoulder and landed on Link's outstretched hand. He looked up at me interestedly, before putting the fairy on his shoulder, and beckoning me to walk next to him and Sheik. I hurried forwards, and fell into stride with them, the doors getting ever closer with each step.
*
Outside, I saw Link pause, and look around in surprise and horror at the devastation before him. I didn't blame him - I knew how much the place had changed just since the last reports of it three years ago. He knew how it had changed in seven. He shook it off quickly though, beginning to run from the Temple to the main square. "Watch out for the..." I began. 'Thud' was the only answer I got as a re-dead's head rolled on the floor. "Never mind," I said, looking in disgust at the trail of blood it had left.
I carried on after the two men, wishing I had a shield when I noticed both of them did. They had a whole arsenal of weaponry, compared to my one sword. But, my sword was bound to be better than any of their stuff, because it was made specifically for me. It grew with me, so when I had been even smaller (hard to believe, but true) it was the right size for me. And, it was made from mithril - stronger even than diamonds, and just as valuable.
The bridge was in even worse a state than it had been when I entered. The fast flowing Zora River had managed to carry away two more planks, so that there was a huge gap to leap between the remaining planks and the opposite bank. Sheik jumped across, landing like a cat on the other side, and Link followed, landing a little less gracefully on his behind.
Sheik started detaching some rope from his belt, and I sighed mentally [men]. I heard a slight giggle answer back from Navi, who buzzed around Link's head. I geared up, hoped I wouldn't completely miss the bank, ran, and leapt. With a sudden thud, I was on the other side, still on my feet, being stared at by a surprised Hero and Sheikah. "Where to again?" I asked, brushing my hair out of my eyes.
Sheik stared blankly for a second, before regaining himself enough to answer, "Uh - Kakariko." Link had managed to get off the ground by this time, and was dusting off his green tunic. [Yeah - so now women can't jump?] I asked Navi, who I could hear giggle out loud.
{Apparently not. Oh, looks like we're going}, she flew to land on Link's shoulder. Sheik set off for the bridge over the River, which would lead to the entrance to Kakariko. It was so far off that we couldn't see it, and I bet that we would not reach it before night fell. More Poes always came out at night. I felt grateful that at least I would have some company on this eerie field.
I set off after Sheik; Link was taking up the rear with his sword and shield at the ready. "That was one cucco of a leap!" he said, and I took that as his version of an icebreaker.
I shrugged, "I was taught balance and fighting skills. It's a second nature now."
"Lucky," he breathed, then looked directly at me. "I've never had any training or anything. To be honest, I dunno if I can be a hero." I blinked at him, and felt like I was going to explode with laughter.
[The amount of times I've heard that one...] I directed at Navi, and then spoke out loud to Link. "The fact that you doubt yourself shows that you must be. He that is content with his talents has not talent, merely a misused gift that the Goddesses shouldn't have given." [Think he'll be convinced Navi?]
{Yeah, that should more than do it,} she tinkled. And, it did - he nodded, smiled, and looked a little less apprehensive than before.
"What part of Hyrule are you from? I've not heard that accent before." I panicked at that one, and adamantly kept the link between Navi and me closed. After a search through my mind, I came up with the best answer I could think of.
"I'm a born Hylian, but I was sent across the water to live with my elvean cousins when my family..." I couldn't finish that sentence - too close to home. He understood, however, and nodded sympathetically. Navi seemed to realise that I wouldn't want her in my mind at that precise moment, and kept the link at her end tight shut.
Sheik looked around from his position a few feet ahead of us. Then he looked up, as did I. "Run," he hissed. "The trees, hurry!"
"Why?" Link asked bemusedly, but there was no time for explanation. I took one arm, Sheik the other, and we practically carried him to the small copse of trees. There, we dropped him, and crouched down ourselves within the underbrush.
Looking out, I saw a band of the cleverest warriors known - humans that had turned over to the other side. Like I did, once, unintentionally... Damn memories! I looked again, and could see that there were also Stalfos covered head to toe in strong armour. A black horse came in the middle of the band. The man upon it was shrouded by a long black cloak, which rose to hide his face in a large cowl.
Wanting to see the face of the adversary we were aiming to combat in the end, I leant forwards. Link, sitting up slowly from where we had dropped him, nonetheless managed to knock me hard in the small of the back. I swayed, and pulled my arms back to try and stop my fall. It didn't work, and I toppled forwards, only to be stopped by a sudden jerk. Sheik had gotten hold of my sword, and was trying to pull me back.
I panicked, as I could feel it slipping off, but couldn't manage to set myself straight. With a soft rasp of metal on fabric, my sword came away from my back. Sheik gasped quietly, as I fell forward with a small, but audible, crunch into the dead leaves. I bit my tongue to stop from yelling out as sharp briars raked the side of my face. My glasses cut into the bridge of my nose.
The procession stopped as the man on the horse raised his hand. It parted before him, allowing him to come towards the copse. Sheik and Link crawled backwards silently, but I knew they would never be able to hide. Cursing my clumsiness, I heaved myself from the ground, and bolted away from the copse, running parallel to the procession. It achieved exactly what I had hoped, drawing the rider away from the copse after me.
{What are you doing?} Navi's voice shrieked in my head.
[Drawing him away - I'm unarmed and practically a child - I know these people. They'll beat me up a bit, and then leave me for dead in the field. Tell Link and Sheik to stay there. When they are far enough away, tell them to run to Kakariko, and I'll meet them there.]
{But, what if they hurt you too bad?}
[They won't, now, tell them, and quietly!] The link was shut again, and I could feel my body with intense sensations running down my sides. I had never been a sprinter, and all this running was killing me. However, if I was going to draw them off, I had to keep going as far as I could, so I exerted more pressure on my legs, maintaining a fast speed. My hair was completely in the way, and I wished for a crew cut so that I could at least see.
Looking around, the copse was almost half a mile behind, and I congratulated myself on a good run. The rider was still quite a way behind, having only started following me a few seconds before. I turned forwards again, put my head down and pumped my legs as hard as I could. The hoof beats of the horse gained on me quickly, and soon all I could hear was the thunder of them in my ears.
I turned again, and saw the glint of dark eyes within the cowl. The rider pulled the horse even faster, so that it ran around to in front of me. I ducked and weaved to the right, going as near to the horse as I dared to try and make it rear. It was too well trained, so I just decided to carry on running instead.
A whip lash cut across my back, the crack ineffably loud. I squeaked - right across my shoulder blades. [Bastard! Ow, demons and hell, ow!] I heard the whip cut down again, and felt it attach around my wrist. I felt strangely reminded of the cowboy movies I had once watched upon a 'television' on some other world somewhere.
I looked around one last time, and stumbled backwards over my feet, landing flat on my back, facing the sky. [Well, at least I'm far enough away from the copse] I thought through a haze of pain that had suddenly caught up with me. The dark rider dropped down from his horse, and stamped over to me, his heavy boots shaking the ground. The whip was pulled hard and came off my wrist, leaving a red ring around it. The only thing vaguely intact about me were my glasses.
"What are you doing out on the field alone, lady?" he asked, in a surprisingly soft voice. I could detect a steely hint there though - a coldness that no amount of training could take away. However, to the enemy, one is always defiant - either that, or you fall into the trap of trusting them too much. I was not prepared for that again, so defiance as always.
"What's it to you?" I replied darkly. The man reached down and lifted me up by the excess material at the front of my tunic. He, like everyone else, managed to tower over me, but he was a lot more menacing than either Sheik or Link. Then, he put me down again on my own two feet; his cowl flew back as he did so. [Wow!] Was the thought that managed to flash through my mind before another flash saw a sword at my throat.
He looked down at me with deep brown eyes, a few fiery tresses of hair framing a chiselled, tanned face. The kind of hair you could twist your hands in and... I slapped myself inside [get a grip!] and stared defiantly up at him.
"Eurgh, I don't have time for this," he growled, taking the sword away. "Take her to the steps of Kakariko and leave her there."
"Yes, Sire Ganondorf," a guy I took to be one of his many henchmen, said.
[Ganondorf? This is Ganondorf? I should have known...Hang on - letting me go? What in all-] My thought was cut off by a firm hand on my shoulder. It was the 'henchman'.
"Go," the man, now known to me as Ganondorf, my one goal of helping to kill, barked. He swung up onto the saddle of his dark horse, and turned away. "Oh, and lady, do not wander the field alone - I am not always here to give the orders." Then, he dug his knees into the flanks of the horse, and galloped away.
"Come along, milady," the loyal henchman said, guiding me to a small cart, drawn by two thoroughbred looking horses. "Sit." He pushed me into the back, and tied my wrists together, joining them onto an iron hoop in the floor of the cart. Then, he walked around to the front, hopped on, and with a "Hyahh!" the cart began to move.
Ashamedly, the rocking motion of the cart managed to lull me into a semi sleep. Hours later, when the henchman untied my wrists and kicked me out of the cart, I rolled over and looked up at the stars, feeling my shoulder blades were on fire. "Hyahh!" came again, and the horses clopped away. Groaning, I crawled up the steps into the village of Kakariko, saw the guard at the gate, and collapsed seeing him running towards me.
~*~*~*~
I rolled over and groaned as a slant of sunshine hit my closed eyes. [Eurgh - sunshine] I thought, scrunching my eyes up as well as I could. I reached up and rubbed the bridge of my nose. [Hey, where'd my glasses go?]
{They're on the table next to you} came a familiar voice. {Glad you're awake at last, you crazy girl. We thought you'd died!} I felt a small body hurtle into my nose, and hug it with small arms. {But you're OK!}
[Calm down Navi!] I grinned, reaching out my hands and searching out the glasses. When I found them, I tipped my head forwards so that my hair fell in the way of my eyes. I opened them, and stuffed the glasses on before looking around. [Whose house?]
{Oh, just someone charitable enough to take us in. Hey - that'll be Sheik and Link coming up.}
[I'm not dressed!] I pulled the covers over myself, and attempted to stand up. The trailing ends caught up underneath my feet, and I was sent sprawling to the floor, just as Sheik and Link opened the door. With a squeak, I curled up, and pulled the covers so tightly around myself I thought I'd suffocate. [Oh, Goddesses, you don't think they saw anything?]
{No, don't worry!} Navi laughed crazily.
"Uh - right. Shall I ask or not?" Link looked a little surprised to find my lying full length on the floor.
"Best not," I answered, feeling my cheeks burn. I stood up, holding the covers defensively, and moved back over to the bed to sit down. They both looked as though they were about to laugh, and I managed a grin. "Uh, yeah...just wondering. Do you happen to know what happened to my...?" I trailed off, but it was obvious they understood.
"Oh, right. NO! That wasn't, I mean, we didn't-"
"What he's trying to say is, Eloise got you all cleaned up and stuff," Sheik said matter-of-factly, jabbing a red-faced Link in the ribs. "And, Link's already gotten the piece of equipment he needed from Kakariko, so we can set off again as soon as you are ready."
I jumped up, covers still entwined around me. "I'm ready! Or at least, I will be - where's this Eloise?"
"Right here, dear. Here's your clothes," a middle-aged woman entered, and handed me a bundle of clothes. "I put in some new ones since you'll be travelling so long; breakfast's ready," this last one she directed at Sheik and Link, who turned around to follow her.
"Oh," Sheik turned back, and pointed to the wardrobe, "Your sword's in there." He carried on down the stairs, and I leant forward to nudge the door shut with my elbow. Then, I dropped the bundle of clothes on the bed. I went over to the wardrobe and flung open the doors, smiling when I saw that my sword was indeed there, none the worse for wear. I picked it up, and ran a finger over the blade. A thin scarlet line appeared on my finger.
"At least it doesn't need sharpening then," I mused, placing it upon the bed with the clothes. I sorted through them, noticing that Eloise seemed to have picked up on the fact that I was a person for dark colours. There were three extra tunics, each with matching trousers, as well as my own tunic and trousers. Also, there were the necessary undergarments, the details of which needn't be told.
I put on my original black tunic-trouser set, and looked at the other three. There was one of deep ruby red, one of shadowy sapphire, and the third of emerald green. [Like the three elemental stones...how appropriate]. I picked the red one up to re-fold it, and a small spark of magic tingled across my shoulder blades. [Ah, of course. A Goron tunic and Zora tunic - I wonder about this green one though...Kokiri perhaps?] I shrugged, and carried on re-folding the clothes, realising I had nothing in which to carry them.
Eloise, who seemed to have a finely attuned sixth sense about her, answered this dilemma. She barrelled through the door. "Come on, young lady, you must eat before you leave. Oh, and here's a pack for all those new clothes - don't worry, I don't need any payment, share and share alike is my motto. Come on, come on, or those two young men will eat it all!"
She ushered me out of the room, along the hallway and down the stairs into a lounge/kitchen area. She carried on jabbering away, and I wasn't able to take all that she said in, just nodding at the appropriate places.
Sheik and Link were stuffing their faces at the table, and my stomach flip- flopped at the smell of food. I dropped into the remaining chair, and quickly devoured the bread and milk passed my way by Eloise. And, then another helping - and another. Sheik and Link had stopped eating by that point. I myself gave up after the fourth helping, and jumped up, full of energy again. "I don't think I'll need to eat for a week after that!" I told Eloise, who smiled brightly.
"From what I've heard, you might not get the chance to. I hear you three fancy yourselves as heroes?" she inquired, and I looked at Sheik and Link sharply. To my surprise, it was Link who replied.
"We don't consider ourselves heroes exactly - we're just trying to help out. You needn't worry about us, we will not do anything foolish." Eloise seemed calmed, and I myself was shocked.
[Who'd know by his face he knew such discretion?]
{I know - he surprises me too.}
[Yeah...] I noticed that Sheik too was looking at Link in surprise, but blinked and looked at me.
"Are you all ready?" he asked and I nodded. "Right - Link, we'd best be going," he got up off his chair, and Link and I followed his example. "Lady Eloise, thank you for your hospitality - I hope we can repay you someday." He shook her hand firmly.
[Smooth git.] Navi laughed at that one. "Eloise, thanks for the tunics, and the food - and well, everything." I shook her hand as well.
"Farewell Eloise - may that we meet again under happier circumstances," Link shook her hand as well, and followed out of the door.
[O-K. Why does everyone else except me speak fancy talk?]
{Don't worry - you're easier to understand.}
[I should hope so!]
*
Outside the door, the sun hit me in the face again. Oh how I hated the sun! I repositioned my glasses more securely on my nose, and followed the tall figures before me. Kakariko was surprisingly busy for such an early hour, and I wondered about the inhabitants' sanity at choosing to be up so early. However, we exited the village soon enough, and were out once more in the open field.
I could see no changes from the last time we had walked within it, which I saw as a bonus. Knowing that there hadn't been a mass culling of the whole populace raised my spirits a fraction. "Where are we going now then?" I asked Sheik.
"The Forest - that's where the first Temple is. We need to awaken the Sage, and gain the medallion from them to add power to our own." I nodded, and we carried on walking in silence - well, apart from Navi and I, who spent most of the journey to the Forest sending sarcastic comments to one another telepathically.
[I don't like him - he's too clever - clever men aren't natural.]
{Hehe, you really are an odd girl, you know that?}
[Yeah, and I'm proud of it. Eurgh, if being normal means I have to wear a dress and stop doing any type of exercise, then there's no way I want to be normal.]
{I see your point - hey, that reminds me, have you been to the Ranch?}
[Yes, why?]
{Oh - there's just an old friend of Link's that lived there. I was wondering if she was still there. If she is, I should remind Link to see her.}
[What's her name?]
{Malon.}
[Malon? Redhead?]
{Did you see her?}
[Sure I saw her - she was in a bad way - this guy's running the Ranch, and he was yelling at her and stuff. I tried to get her out, but she said he'd hurt the horses, and wouldn't come. And she made me promise not to hurt him...]
{Oh Goddesses, everything is fallen to darkness. I'll have to tell Link, we need to get her out!}
[I'm not sure that's such a good-] It was too late.
"Link, Link, HEY, Link, listen to me you stupid Hylian!" She whacked him hard on his hat-covered head. "We gotta go to the Ranch, Malon's in trouble!"
"How do you know?" Link asked, even as he turned west towards the Ranch.
[Don't tell him it was me!] I pleaded.
{I won't.} "I just know," she answered him. "Get your ass moving, before I give you something to really worry about!" She whacked him on the head again, and he sped up. Sheik and I followed behind him. I breathed heavily with all the running, and wished I hadn't said anything. However, we would be saving that girl - and maybe she would lift the ban on me hurting that guy, so I could punch his sorry face in...
~*~*~*~
It was mid-afternoon when we reached the Ranch. Link was still managing a steady top speed, whereas Sheik was lagging about a hundred yards behind. I myself lagged about five hundred yards behind Sheik, and stumbled the last stretch clutching my sides and wheezing. "Running isn't your strong point, is it?" Sheik asked scornfully, already breathing normally.
I straightened up as best I could. "Yeah, well, generally, I don't need to run away from the enemy," I answered spitefully, and he glared at me. I gave up the standing up option, preferring to sit on the grass panting. Link ran through the main gate into the Ranch, and sighing heavily, I got up and wearily followed him. I looked back at the still glaring Sheik. "Oh, come on, we can't leave him alone. He's bound to do something stupid!"
The corners of his eyes twitched in a smile at this, and he came up with me. "I suppose you're right - I don't suppose he can have learnt much being asleep for seven years." I nodded, taking deep steadying breaths, and managing to maintain a dignified posture again. "Here," he hooked his arm under mine, and let me lean on his shoulder.
"Thanks. Oh Goddesses, what IS he doing?" I looked over at the paddock, where Link was riding around on a mangy looking horse. The man by the entrance to the paddock spotted us, and we walked over.
"I am Ingo, the owner of this Ranch. Ah, Sir and Miss, how may I help you?" he asked, and I recognised his voice as the one that had yelled at Malon. Sheik must have noticed me tense, because he shoved me behind him, and spoke to the man, keeping a firm grip on my wrist so I wouldn't suddenly leap at him.
"We're merely here to look at the horses," he said smoothly, gesturing with his free hand at the paddock. "It is said the best horses in all Hyrule come from here, and we wanted to see for ourselves."
"Ah, very good, very good. When you see a creature you like, don't hesitate to point it out to me." He walked off over to Link. "I'm afraid your time is up sir. Would you like another ride? Or perhaps a race, for a wager of, say, fifty rupees?"
"No, I don't think," Link began, but I cut in, knowing we desperately needed the money.
"Of course he will, won't you old friend?" I slapped him on the back, and then jabbed him in the ribs.
"Oh - I guess that answers your question then," Link faked a smile.
"Splendid!" Ingo said, "Just choose your horse, and we'll be off." He walked off and got up onto the back of a tan coloured steed. Link took out his Ocarina - the Ocarina of Time, and played a beautiful melody upon it.
"What are you doing?" I hissed, but he just waved me off, walking over to a chestnut creature that had come over at the song. He swung up into its saddle, and moved to the start line.
"Ready...GO!" Ingo yelled, and they began to race. Link quickly took the lead, and kept it easily, crossing the finish line long before Ingo. Ingo looked flustered at the loss.
"If the great Ganondorf found out about this humiliation... Hey, you! How about another race? If you win...you get the horse." Link accepted immediately, and they raced again. Link won again, and Ingo held his head in his hands in shame, before suddenly seeming to notice the horse which Link had been riding.
"You cheated!" he shrieked. "That's Epona! She takes no riders, what did you do? That horse was meant for the great Ganondorf. But, a bet is a bet..." he smiled darkly. "I'll just never let you leave this Ranch!" He swung the gates shut, and laughed harshly.
"Yeah, like that's really going to stop him," I whispered to Sheik. Sure enough, Link just turned Epona around, lined her up, and leaped the outer wall. Ingo yelled loudly, clutching his head as he saw his prize horse go over the wall. He turned, and suddenly, I noticed Malon leaning against the wall of the stable, smiling at Ingo's defeat. The smile fell however when Ingo began to advance upon her.
"I think now I can hurt him, right?" I asked Sheik.
"Go for it," he nodded, and I launched myself at Ingo. I landed a kick to the back of his legs, causing him to fall forwards, and a kick to the back of his head, knocking him out cold.
"Hi Malon," I smiled brightly. She looked at me, then at Sheik, then at the unconscious Ingo, then me again. Then, she smiled tentatively back.
"You got Epona out...thank you, thank you!" she ran towards me, and caught me in a deadly bear-hug. I tapped her on the back, and she pulled away. "Sorry, don't know my own strength - Fairy boy?" she looked over my shoulder.
"Hi Malon," Link's voice came from behind me. I moved out of the way, and allowed Link and Malon their reunion. "He won't bother you anymore - and your father's coming - I met him on my way back in."
"Daddy?" she asked, and he nodded. She gave him one of the deadly hugs as well, and then ran to a man who had just come through the re-opened main gate. They hugged and kissed and cried, and I felt a pang of emptiness. I had never known such family...
{Are you all right Blaise?} Navi asked me softly.
[Oh - yes, of course. It's just good to see her happy.]
{Yeah.}
Malon turned back, and looked at Link. He flushed pink. [I think someone's in love!] I squeaked to Navi, who laughed.
"Fairy boy? Where've you been?"
"I can't really tell you - but I'll come back real soon, I promise. We have to go, don't we?" he looked at Sheik and I for back up. We got the hint, and nodded fervently. "Here's Epona back," he handed Malon the horse's reins. She shook her head and handed them back.
"I want you to take her. She can run free on the field, and she'll come when she hears her song." Link looked stunned, and didn't immediately take the reins back. "It's a gift," she said, forcing the reins back into his hand. He nodded, and held out a hand for her to shake. She took it, and grasped it for a longer time than necessary.
[Aww, how sweet.] I thought. I heard Navi retch. Her father came up, and fished into his pockets - he bought out two purple rupees.
"Here, take this - you may find it useful - and it's my thanks." Link took the two rupees as well. One hundred rupees would cover us for a while!
Then, all of a sudden, we were leaving the Ranch, Link at the back, leading a quiet Epona behind him, and Sheik leading as usual. Malon's "Goodbye!" fluttered after us as we traipsed out, having been in the Ranch only an hour, and completely changed everything around.
[Heroes, one. Ganondorf, nil!] I thought.
{We've still got a long way to go yet, don't go celebrating yet!}
[Spoilsport.]
{I'm just telling you to be wary.}
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
Oh dear! I hope those thought things didn't confuse you too much, cos I know they did me. But, I am better at first person, ni? Or am I just a misinformed fool who should get back to her sofa and play the games some more before she even thinks of writing anymore. Mind you, this is an a/u, so all I need to know is the temples and a few cameo characters. The rest is up to my imagination and me.
Imagination - yeah...that's what it is. No voices at all, all done by me.
[Muffled squeaks of indigence] HEY! We voices do all the work, and get no credit!
[Nervous laugh, and a thud as she kicks something] Oh, pay no attention, that was just the TV.
[Muffled voices] TV OUR ARSE!
[Another kick, and then silence] TV off. Go and review now!
Go, go, go!
I'm a review-a-holic, gimme me my poison!
REVIEW!
Oh yeah, Eloise is back! I love her for an extra - she cooks, she washes, and she's strangely like my mum...weird.
