Repaying a debt
This is for the fact that I can't sleep. Again, I apologise that it took so long to get this done - I've been rather busy of late, so I didn't have any time - or inspiration either.
Disclaimer: [Looks up] You really need to ask? Unless my mum did something that I'd really rather not know about, and I'm the love child of the leader of Nintendo, maybe. Other than that, it's a little obvious I didn't entail in the making of this amazing thing. Alexis (Blaise), Loki (and various other angel people), and Eloise are mine - that's about it.
In the last chapter, we had a little bit of an up and down thing going on. The guys now trust Blaise (yes, remember her real name is Alexis!) They just got through the Fire Temple, and I think there was definite vibes between Sheik and her...[cough] however, with the way I am, there's no point trying to guess who gets together with whom. [Grin] I am *so* annoying.
On to the Water temple soon [shiver] but ice before - me no like ice [shiver some more] Sheik, get over here!
Sheik: Huh? [Eyes bug out as Soda grabs him.]
Soda: Yay, I got my own patented Sheik blanket. [Growl] and I'm not sharing with no one!
[] = Alexis' thoughts
{} = Navi's thoughts
And HUGE apologies to everyone about me not being on ffnet for months! You are allowed to glomp me and glomp me good.
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
I awoke to find that I was still on the sofa in Eloise's front room - by the light cast by the window, I could tell that dawn wasn't far off. Moving my arm slightly, it brushed against something soft and furry. Looking down, I saw that both Link and Sheik were still there as well - and both of them had ended up using me as a leaning post as they slept. Sheik stirred slightly, as he rested on the arm I had moved, before resting his head again on my shoulder.
A soft glow pulsated from Link's hat, which I guessed had fallen off during the night. [Navi?] I thought. I had to try not to move - the other two needed their rest.
A small head poked out from the red folds of the hat. {Yeah? What is it?} She asked, blinking and stretching as she woke up properly. Then, she seemed to catch sight of what exactly 'it' was. A short bark of laughter escaped her lips, and she covered her mouth so as not to wake the boys. {Having a nice time up there?} She grinned, rising up to land on my knees.
[They look sort of cute when they're asleep] I observed, looking down at both of them. A strand of Link's abominably messy hair brushed against my nose, giving me a desperate urge to scratch it. I twitched it, trying to get rid of the itch, but it wouldn't go away. [Uh - Navi. You think you could scratch my nose for me?] Navi shook her head disbelievingly, but all the same buzzed up before my face, and reached out a small hand to scratch the itching spot. Wriggling my nose once more, I grinned at her. [Thanks.]
{You're welcome.} She yawned loudly. {Eurgh, it's far too early to be awake - the only problem is, now that I am awake, I can't fall asleep again!}
[Hey, at least you aren't being used as a pillow!] I interjected. Navi just laughed and returned to the hat on the floor.
{I'm going to try and go back to sleep - have fun.} She casually flipped the link off, and I shut my end as well. Shifting as gently as I could, I reached up to push my slipping glasses back up the bridge of my nose. To my abject annoyance, Sheik's head slipped from my shoulder, and landed heavily in my lap. Now I was really trapped. [Oh great.] Well, at least I had one hand free - though what use that was to me I couldn't actually figure out.
For the next half an hour or so, I looked out of the slightly ajar window, watching the town begin to stir all around us. I became able to distinguish the breathing patterns of both Link and Sheik - when they began to accelerate slightly, I knew with relief that they would soon wake up.
The first to awaken was Sheik, who slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times before he seemed to gain his bearings. "Morning," I whispered, a small grin crossing my face as his red eyes widened in surprise. He snapped up from my lap, and looked down at his lap in embarrassment. "Sleep well?" I asked. "Link seems to be anyway." I looked at Link, as did Sheik, who managed a soft laugh.
"Sorry about that - you can't have had a comfortable sleep."
"You don't say," I nodded, as Link also began to wake up. His reaction was pretty much the same as Sheik's - well, apart from the yell of surprise and the crash as he fell onto the floor. Eloise came running in with a look of fright on her face.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Oh, don't worry - Link just fell over, that's all," I answered, reaching out a hand to help him stand up again. "Are you alright?" he nodded mutely, and sat back down on the sofa.
"Sorry - it was just quite a shock to wake up like that," he said wryly, running a hand through his wild hair. "Where's my hat?" he muttered, before seeing it and reaching down to pick it up. Looking inside, he smiled gently. "Look," he mouthed, opening the hat so that Sheik, Eloise and I could see inside. Navi was snoozing gently, her small wings wrapped around her, and I could see why Link was smiling. The tempestuous fairy looked so sweet and gentle whilst sleeping. He gently put the hat back down, this time upon the table.
Keeping our voices low, we discussed our next destination - Eloise, obviously realizing that she couldn't really be much help in the conversation, went about her normal routine. "Is it the Water temple next?" I asked, and Sheik nodded. "Which means we have to go to Zora's domain, right?" Another nod.
"We should go as soon as we can; though, I wouldn't mind dropping in at the Ranch on our way. I can see whether Malon would let us borrow two more horses, so we can get around quicker," Link said.
"Good plan," Sheik stood up, and made for the front room to collect his stuff. Link followed, but I was able to stay where I sat, having bought my own pack through with me the previous night. Picking it up, I could feel extra weight, and opening it up, I saw another of those food packages Eloise had supplied us with. Also, my black tunic and trouser set had been cleaned, and was placed neatly on top of all my other things.
I decided that I could change my tunic later since we were going to stop off at the Ranch. I hoped that the girl Malon would have forgotten my name by some fortunate chance, or would think that I had perhaps given her my last one or some such. No matter, I could always say that she must be thinking of someone else; I would of course feel cruel to confuse her so much, but I didn't want my cover blown. It was my fault entirely of course...
The hat on the table quivered, and Navi burst out in a blaze of light. "Good morning!" she said brightly, doing a little twirl in the air to wake herself up completely. "Where're the other two?"
"Getting their stuff," I answered. "We're gonna go to the Ranch and see if we can borrow two more horses to get around quicker."
"Oh - good plan," she nodded, landing back on the hat. "It'll be nice for Link to see Malon again." Both of us smiled secretively at this. After a few more minutes, however, Navi was beginning to get impatient, and buzzed her way over to the door. With all the strength that her little fairy body could muster, she barged straight into the door, and yelled, "C'mon, what's taking you two so long?" She backed up and was charging again when Sheik opened the door. His eyes widened in surprise, and Navi barrelled head first into the space right between his eyes.
Dazed, she spiralled away, and landed on the banister to recollect herself. Sheik bought his hand up the impact spot, and shook his head. "Crazy fairy," he chuckled, hitching his pack off of the floor. "Right, well, we'd best get going. It's going to take a few hours to get across the field with only one horse." Link nodded in agreement, and I just shrugged. I wasn't really all that keen on the idea of riding a horse around the field - I had never even sat on one before.
{Really?} Navi's voice pierced my silent worrying. {Well, you can always learn at the Ranch. I thought every Hylian knew how to ride a horse!}
[Yeah...well, I'm different, aren't I?] I smiled. [It'll be an interesting experience anyway. If I fall off, you're not allowed to laugh, OK?]
{Yes - of *course* I won't laugh,} she said, and I didn't believe one syllable of it.
*
Link played the same lulling tune that had bought the red mare to him before. There was a whinny in the distance; from the steps, I could see far over the vast field, and over to the south, on the other side of the river, I could see the beautiful creature cantering towards us. Link went down and crossed the bridge to wait for her - I hung back, having spied something on the horizon. However, I blinked, and whatever had been there had disappeared.
"Hey Epona. Hey girl, how're you doing?" Link crooned to the horse, patting her muzzle. Sheik and I sent amused looks to one another, before returning attention to Link when he began to speak again. "You don't mind if I ride along on Epona do you?" I shook my head, as did Sheik. He grinned. "Great! I love riding," and with that, he took off in a flash of bridle and reins over the bridge and into the main field.
"You have to be kidding me," Navi said, being buffeted in the slipstream of the horse. "I refuse to try and fly to keep up with that crazy Hylian." She landed on my shoulder.
"And did I say you could hitch a ride?" I asked jokingly. "We don't have to run after him, do we?"
"Nah - he'll come back in a minute," Sheik said. "I hope." I laughed at his semi joke, and we set off after the small dot, which was Link and Epona.
"He sure can ride though," I commented, as Link made a fly-by and grabbed Navi from my shoulder. Her protests at being grabbed in such an ungainly manner could be heard as he sped away, and I laughed. "Hey, Link!" I called to him, and he reined the horse expertly in front of me.
"Yeah?"
"Oh - I was just going to ask if you knew how to stop that thing..." I blinked in surprise. "But, obviously..." And with that, he sped off again. Soon, I was dizzy from trying to follow all his stunts. "OK, he really needs to grow up," I said dryly, as he stood up in the stirrups, and let go with both hands.
Link at last calmed down enough to trot along next to Sheik and I. The field was much calmer than usual, the early morning sun shining and making the grass look fresh and green. Hell, there were even a few flowers dotted around - not exactly what you'd expect from a world that was apparently being run by an evil megalomaniac. The Ranch could at last be seen on the horizon, and off Link went again, galloping at full tilt. {HELP!} Navi's desperate voice came in my head. {I think I'm going to be sick!}
[Well, tell Link that, and I'm sure he'll let you off.] Sure enough, a couple of seconds, Link came to a complete stop, and Navi tumbled to the ground, nauseous green. When Link laughed, she turned a bright red and flew at him - being the ingenious man that he is, he dug his heels into Epona's flank and took off.
{Eurgh...I don't feel too good.}
[I'm not surprised.] "Hey, Sheik, have you got any of that mead on you?" [It'll buck you up I should think]. I looked around at him - he didn't answer. "Sheik?"
"Shh. Don't you hear something?" I strained my ears, and thought I could hear a soft rumbling in the distance. Epona's hoof beats made it difficult to make the sound out properly though. "Link, stop prancing around will you?" Sheik yelled bad temperedly, and Link did so, leading Epona back to us.
Looking in the direction I though the sound was coming from, I saw a sight that made my blood run cold. The army that we had seen on the journey to Kakariko the first time had been nothing to this. The numbers were not so large, but they were all mounted upon fearsome looking horses; at least, they looked pretty fearsome from this distance. I didn't want to see what they'd be like close up. "Sheik. Would I be right in thinking that's not a good sign," I pointed to the oncoming mass.
"Yes, I'd say that's a good assessment." He said calmly. "Running would be good."
"We'll never be fast enough if we run - and we have no cover apart from the Ranch. If we take Epona, we should get there just in time."
"But, will she be able to hold all three of us?" I asked dubiously. However, it seemed I wouldn't be answered, as Link had already swung up, and Sheik was climbing on.
"Come on Blaise, up you get!" Again, I was dubious, as I looked up at the horse. I remembered the block in the Fire temple as Link reached down to pull me on. He dropped me in the saddle in front of him, grabbed the reins, and yelled loudly as he dug his heels in. "Hyahh! Go Epona!" Navi, who had managed to find a place on my shoulder, clung on to my collar for dear life. Epona didn't seem to notice that she was carrying two extra people and a fairy, and thundered off just as fast as she had been going before. The mass of dark creatures was coming from the north, from the town - we were speeding west towards the Ranch.
Link urged Epona faster - I could begin to distinguish separate figures in the crowd now. That tall one in the centre in the cloak. It couldn't be...[Ganondorf!]
{What?} Navi dared to take her head from my shoulder, and looked up. {Oh Goddesses!} "Faster Link, Ganondorf's with them!" Link's arms tensed on the reins, and I could hear the small snap as he ground his teeth together.
"Come on Epona," he hissed - the horse gave off a last burst of speed, and we were miraculously within the gates. He turned her around, and she intuitively backed into the shadows - about twenty seconds later, the horde of dark riders thundered past.
"That was close," Sheik muttered, and I felt an insane urge to laugh. I pushed it down, and swung round so that both legs were on one side, before hopping off the horse. I stumbled slightly, but I thought it was a good dismount since I had never done one before.
"Let's go in - good girl," Link patted Epona on her back. "You deserve a rest." We walked up to the second pair of gates and entered the Ranch.
*
Malon was more than happy to see us again. She was immediately hospitable, asking us whether we were hungry or thirsty. Since we didn't know when we might eat again, we accepted the invitation to eat in the house. Following her, I noticed how elegantly she walked on the high shoes that she wore, and wondered how on earth she did it. {Practice I suppose}
[They're so high though - I'd never be able to keep my balance in those things!]
{I'm lucky, I don't even have to worry about shoes} Navi laughed. {Flying sure has its advantages over walking in that respect - and I can't exactly fall over.} Link grabbed her out of the air again, seeming to have forgotten what wroth he was unleashing. {But, that can be a problem} she squeaked indignantly, before beating Link up. Malon looked on, unsure of how to take the speeding ball of light.
"Don't worry about those two," I told her, nudging her elbow so that she carried on down the narrow corridor into the house. "They always fight - it's a normal thing now." She smiled, and looked back at Link,
"Poor Link - he's getting beaten up by his fairy," she laughed. The girl was nice, if a bit simple - well, what could I expect from a girl who had grown up without an education. "Come on you two, stop fighting and come through to the kitchen!" Link looked up, and Navi stopped bashing him around the head.
{Oops, I made him look bad in front of his crush} she moaned guiltily.
[Don't worry, I think she thought it was sweet] I thought back, following Malon into the kitchen, which was surprisingly spacious. Various pots and pans hung down from hooks on the ceiling, along with bunches of herbs and some drying streaks of bacon.
"You're lucky you came when you did - I was just about to get lunch started. I'll just cook up a few extra pieces of bacon and we should be all right." She did just that, haphazardly throwing the pink strips of meat into a sizzling pan. She chopped up a loaf of bread with amazing speed, and within ten minutes, there was a veritable feast set upon the roughly hewn wooden tabletop. "Father!" she called up the stairs. "Lunch is ready!"
There were shifting sounds as Talon descended the stairs, carrying a couple of milk crates. Quick as a flash, I jumped up and opened the door, since I sat closest to it. "Thanks," he grunted, as he went through it. Then, he turned back around, and looked with slight surprised at the table. "Malon, why didn't you tell me we had guests dear?"
Malon just smiled, and pointed at the table, "It doesn't matter - just eat before it gets cold!" I could see Link's eyes unfocus as he looked at Malon smiling, and looking back at her, I saw a slight blush rising in her cheeks. Navi made a retching sound to me, and I had to stifle a giggle as Malon walked over to sit down. Link shifted up, pushing Sheik forcibly so that he fell off of his chair, so that Malon could sit next to him. This time, I really did laugh, but the atmosphere was so jovial that no one seemed to care.
"Here, Sheik, sit next to me," I offered, moving up on the small bench that I sat on so that he could sit down again at the table. For a few moments, it was quiet as everyone looked at the food. "Um - are we going to eat or what?" I asked, my stomach speaking for me.
"Of course!" Malon laughed. "Help yourselves for Goddesses' sakes, I don't want all this to go to waste!" This broke the stillness as everyone reached out and grabbed what they wanted, passing plates of foodstuffs to one another and so on. When everyone had at last received their fill of all they wanted, we sat back and talked for a while.
Finally, the conversation turned to the reason we had come in the first place. "We were wondering whether we could possibly borrow a couple of your horses, so that we can get around the field more quickly," Link said, breaking his stare away from Malon and looking at Talon.
"Don't look at me laddie, Malon's the one for the horses," he said, standing up and making his way to the stairs. Malon just laughed and shook her head, carrying on her clearing of the table.
"Of course we'll lend you horses - I can't promise that they'll come when you call like Epona does, but they'll be the finest horses in Hyrule, that's for sure."
"Thanks Malon!" Link cried, beaming at her - her face was almost as red as her hair.
*
"No, dig your heels in to start, and let them loose when you want to stop. Just saying 'whoa' won't work if you dig your heels in!" Malon was barking instructions at me as I tried to get to grips with the horse I had been given. It was a beautiful creature - grey with a slightly darker mane and tail to the rest of it - it just didn't seem to want to co-operate. Malon sure didn't look like it, but she could yell louder than my combat teacher ever had.
"Whoa there," I said softly to the horse, this time letting my heels hang loose just as Malon had instructed. It slowed to a walk, before coming to a complete stop.
"Good!" Malon beamed up at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Link and Sheik racing around the edge of the paddock on their charges. Link was again seated upon Epona, and Sheik was riding a large ruddy brown stallion that went by the name of 'Valar'. "Now, let's try some jumping shall we?" Malon said, though I could tell that I couldn't really say no. It was a skill I had to learn whether I liked it or not. I really didn't like it...
"Turn the horse about, and line it up with that low fence," Malon instructed. I pulled gently on the right side of the reins, and the horse followed in turning to the right. The fence came into view, and with a few nudges and whispered instructions, I managed to line up. "Now, start off at a canter, and then dig your heels in hard about ten yards before the fence."
"OK - here I go," I waved at her, before urging the horse forwards at a steady pace. At the ten yards mark, I dug my heels in firmly, and the horse shot forwards, leaping gracefully over the fence and landing perfectly on the other side. At the landing, I was thrown forwards in the saddle, the only thing saving me from toppling to the ground being my steed's neck. Shakily, I lifted a hand, and patted it on the neck. "Well done."
Malon repeated the very same words as she came over, "Well done, that was excellent!" She too patted the horse on the neck. "Her name is Nostawen by the way."
"Nostawen - it suits her," I lifted my leg up and over so that I could hop off the horse, and landed nimbly on the ground. Three hours in the saddle sure doesn't do your back any good I found as I straightened up. I was quite surprised that the name thing hadn't come up - very glad about it as well. And the horses she had given to us were as good as she had said they would be.
Sheik and Link drew up next to us, Sheik holding up the five rupees he had won from the bet triumphantly. "I take it you won then?" Malon asked, raising an amused eyebrow at Link's sour expression. "Don't be so gloomy Link, Epona's probably tired after everything she's been through today." Link just nodded, Epona pawed the ground with her hoof and Navi snored a little more loudly on the top of the gatepost.
Looking up at the sun, Sheik remarked, "We'd best get going soon if we want to reach Zora's Domain before nightfall."
"Oh - well, you should go then. I wouldn't wish any of you to be out on the field at night with all those monsters!" Malon looked terrified at the very idea.
"Don't worry Malon, we can take care of ourselves," Link assured her. "I guess it's goodbye again," he reached down, and to Malon's delight and surprise, took her left hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.
[How adorable!]
{Yeuch...} Navi said sleepily as she sat up on the post.
[Hehehe!]
~*~*~*~
As we drew closer to Zora's Domain, an Arctic wind blew across us. I shivered, cursing myself again on forgetting to bring a cloak. The best I could do was to yank my Zoran tunic from my bag, and put it on over the Goron one. I would have to switch them around later on, but for now I was only interested in not becoming an ice cube. We ploughed on, the sun beginning to set behind us, and from above, small white flakes were falling.
Snow. Snow was falling in the height of summer. [What the...?]
{My sentiments exactly}. We rounded the corner, and Navi thought a very rude word indeed. { - ! The whole river's been frozen!}
[There's dark magic here - very dark] I thought, shivering slightly as another gust blew over us. We carried on down the river, having to leave the horses before we could hop over and carry on. Link and Sheik both had cloaks on, and my two layers kept me just warm enough as long as I did not stop moving for too long.
Soon, we reached the gate which was the official barrier between the field and the domain of the Zoran people. It was rusted beyond repair, and swinging precariously on its hinges. We walked past it, lowering our heads as the snow was blown directly into our faces by a fierce breeze. In some places, the river was frozen hard enough for us to walk on - which we did, making our way to the other bank, and then going on upstream all the while.
The snow was falling more heavily now, and I could see the flakes were large, and didn't melt as they settled on all of us. {Oof!} Navi exclaimed, as a particularly large flake caused her to bodily slam onto the ground. Luckily, the snow already there made the landing quite a soft one. I reached down and scooped her up onto my shoulder, where she hid under my hair, shivering.
"Look out!" Sheik called, pointing to where an octorok was emerging from beneath the water. Link made short work of it with his arrows, and we carried on up the river. Now, I could hear the roar of a great waterfall, though through the hail of snow, I could not see it yet. When another gust of harsh wind blew, the view was cleared just enough for us to make out the majestic falls, cascading down on the other side of many sets of earthen bridges.
Link seemed to know his way around well, and led us to a ladder on the far side of the lowest bridge. "Here," he said, "Go up this, and carry on until you reach the stone inlay before the waterfall." I swung myself up first, being wary of the slippery rungs and climbed up to the top. Then, stepping around icy patches, and avoiding parts of the bridges which seemed unstable, made my way to the very top. Soon enough, both Sheik and Link joined me, their teeth chattering.
Link pulled out the ocarina of time, and played the same melody that he had done when we had visited the Great Fairy on Death Mountain. The falls before us slowed, revealing a tunnel behind, and after a curt nod, he leapt the gap and landed within it. Sheik followed, arching a graceful path through the air. I wasn't really so sure about the jump. {I could lift you across if you like} Navi offered, the sound of her chattering teeth resounding in my head.
[No, you need to keep rested. I can do this.]
{You sure?}
[You remember the drawbridge when we first met? Of course I'm sure!] I said, and backed up. I ran, jumped, and landed within the tunnel perfectly. "Well, come on then," I pushed Link and Sheik forwards into the shadowy tunnel.
"Oh Goddesses." Was the first thing I heard when we reached the end of the tunnel. I'm not quite sure who said it - for all I know it could have been me. Whoever it was, I heartily agreed. From my knowledge, Zora's domain was the source of Zora's river - the place where the fish people, the Zorans lived. It was all water, with a huge waterfall from which a diving game was held, and an underwater portal to lake Hylia.
All I could see was ice - lots of it. Everything was frozen, including the waterfall - patches of ice and frost clung onto the floor, and icicles hung in sparkling fingers from the high ceiling. "Ganondorf," Link spat bitterly, looking around in horror at the sparkling winter wonderland which had once been the home of one of the six races.
"Aye, the bastard," I agreed, and Sheik looked at me in shock for my usage of a swear word. "What, it's the truth isn't it?" He just nodded.
"C'mon, let's see if there's anyone around." Link headed up the steep path, and as usual, we followed him, being careful not to slip and fall onto the frozen water far below. At long last, we came to a huge staircase, where you could barely see the light at the top. "I always hated these stairs," Link admitted as he went up them, taking them two at a time. I followed at the daintier pace of one step at a time, wondering if there'd ever be a time when I didn't have to run.
{Not likely} Navi said. {C'mon, it's not that bad!}
[Yeah - well, you have a lift!] I panted back. [Demons, I think I hate climbing almost as much as running.]
Finally, finally, we reached the top of the hellish stairs - well, Link and Sheik got there first, and didn't even wait for me. "Guys?" I said, panicking slightly in the gloom. Suddenly, a torch burst into light, and I could see thrown into relief the throne room of the great King Zora. He didn't seem to be saying much however; being coated in red ice made that little wonder.
Link banged his fist angrily on the wall. "That evil...!" he hissed, unable to find a word dark enough to complete the sentence, and I knew he was talking about none other than Ganondorf. "First the ice, and now this!" He sprinted over to a small corridor to the left of the throne room, and made his way up to the seat of the king. He walked across, and stretched out a hand to touch the red ice.
"Don't!" I yelled. "I've got a feeling that wouldn't be wise." He dropped his hand and looked at me quizzically. To make my point, I picked up a close by pebble and threw it at the red ice encasing the king. It also became wrapped in ice and clattered to the floor.
"Ah," Sheik nodded. "I see - obviously some dark magic or other. Which means we probably have to defeat some creature before we can thaw this place out."
"Well, what's new?" Navi breathed, looking at the pebble apprehensively. "Maybe we should head into the fountain - perhaps some of the Zoras escaped to there."
"It's as good a starting place as any," Link agreed. "The entrance is back here - just be careful as you walk by him." Link shuffled past the lump of ice and royalty, and stood on the other side of the decorative trellising to wait for us. "Now to see what other damage has been done," his face was set in a stern, braced glare as we splashed through the tunnel into the fountain.
Yet again, everything was frozen - great ice flows floated upon the water and snow was falling from the sky once more. I have no idea how we managed to make our way across them, but we did, and ended up in a cave on the far side of the fountain. Icicles stood from the floor and hung from the ceiling, and frost clung to the walls. Our breath misted before us as we moved through.
There was a tinkling sound above, and a stalactite of ice crashed down just in front of us. "That was close," Sheik yelled in shock as he stumbled back a couple of steps. "Tread carefully," he advised. Yeah, like I hadn't been already! A few more fallen icicles and slips on the icy floor later, we emerged into a great ice cavern.
"What the...?" Link pointed to a huge sconce in the centre of the room, in which burnt a vibrant blue flame. "You don't think there are Poes here do you?" he asked, obviously remembering the Forest Temple.
"I don't think so," Navi's voice was muffled through Link's hat, under which she had taken refuge. "Poes don't like the cold much."
A dripping sound caught my attention, and looking again at the blue flame, I could see that some of the red ice clung to the ceiling above it was melting. "Hey!"
{My line!}
"Shh Navi! Look up there. The blue fire's melting the red ice. We could use it to thaw out the king!" Link looked like he could have hugged me to death for noticing that. With a gleeful look, he took out a bottle, and scooped some of the fire into it. Then, after a pause, he filled his other bottles as well.
"You never know, we might need more of this stuff," he reasoned, putting them back in that seemingly bottomless pack of his. "Come on, let's get out of here." He made to leave, when there was a huge rumble. The ice rattled and broke, sending hundreds of tiny shards raining down on us. "Uh-oh."
[Uh-oh indeed!] I thought as the floor gave way underneath us. "OUCH!" We hit the ground hard, and scuffled to get out of the way of huge slabs of ice raining down on us. At last, the crisis seemed to have ended, and we took our arms from over our heads to see where we were. "Eep." There were five huge white Wolfos standing before us, eyes gleaming.
*
King Zora yawned and stretched as the last traces of the red ice melted away around him. "What? What happened? Who are you three?" he looked around in confusion, shaking his head. "Where's that rude desert man gone; I'd like to give him a piece of my mind! Coming here and demanding this that and the other!" he puffed out his chest and I could see the ends of his flippers turn an angry red.
"Sire," Link cut in, bowing low. "You were frozen by his dark magic - do you not remember?"
The fish king blinked, and then comprehension flashed across his features. "Ah yes! I remember! And you three thawed me out. Thank you, may the Goddesses bless you and make your home waters fresh and clear!" I cast an amused look towards Link, who bit back a snort. "I must reward you - I cannot do much, but take these," he pulled two Zoran tunics out of what seemed like thin air, and handed them to Link and Sheik.
"And also these - they shall make travelling beneath the waves easier." And again, out of nowhere, he pulled three pairs of boots. Their soles were made of heavy iron.
"Thank you sire - but what of the rest of your kind?" Sheik asked, putting the heavy boots down on the floor.
"Alas," the king said sadly. "They that weren't frozen all fled away. My dear Ruto..." he trailed off into miserable silence. "Wait!" his fishy eyes regained some fire. "You boy - I know you! You saved Ruto from Jabu-Jabu all those years ago!" Link nodded, and Zora clapped his fins. "Oh the Goddesses have smiled down! You can save her! She is in the Temple in Lake Hylia."
"Well, sire, we need to know where the Temple is." The king waved his hand carelessly, and a map fluttered down before our feet.
"Now go, and do not return until you have saved my dear daughter!" he waved his fin to dismiss us, and we started down the long stairway.
"OK - did anyone else find that a little bit odd?" I asked.
"Just a bit," Sheik nodded, peering at the map. "Oh - I have an idea. It'll probably take up a bit more magic than I'd like, but I can't be bothered to travel all the way to lake Hylia. Link, get the Ocarina, and we'll warp there."
[Finally, some sense!] I thought gratefully, sitting down on the steps and watching as Link learned the Water Temple melody.
~*~*~*~
We landed upon the Tri-Force symbol at lake Hylia, and I fell flat on my butt to prevent Link from landing on top of me again. Immediately, I noticed the lack of water in the great lake, apart from around the outcropping we had landed on. [I can hardly wait until we get to kill him,] I thought angrily.
{Aye.}
"So, where is the Temple anyway?" I asked, trying to grab the map from Sheik. He elbowed me away, and my feet came into contact with the edge of the outcrop. "Careful!" I said, hurrying forwards again.
"Sorry," he answered curtly, turning around in a full circle before smiling and putting the map away.
"So, where is it?" Navi prompted. He just grinned some more, and sat down, dangling his legs over the edge. Before any of us could stop him, he slid over and down the side. "Sheik!" Navi zoomed after him. There was a splash far below, and then a spluttering laugh. Looking over the edge, I could see Sheik bobbing about in the water far below.
"C'mon you two, we haven't got all day," he yelled up. After a quick glance at Link, I shrugged, and jumped.
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
And I'm going to cut it off there so that I can have the next chapter for the Temple and then the little bit afterwards. Sorry again for the delay. Sheik and I are now going to go and sleep.
Sheik: O.o
Soda: What? OH! You didn't think- EWW!
Sheik: Hey! I'm great and wonderful, remember!
Soda: But...gross!
Sheik: Are you saying you wouldn't?
Soda: [Covers ears] Oh God, I can't believe you're even. ARGH!
Sheik: [Grins to readers] Ah, how I've missed scaring her like this.
Soda: [Throttles Sheik]
Sheik: [Cries]
Soda: Whoops...heh...looks like I have to reconcile before I can write anymore now. I'm sorry Sheik! SORRY!
Sheik: Git
Soda: That means pregnant camel...
Sheik: O.o you are so weird
Soda: [Nods] Now, let's go! And no, we're not!
Sheik: Good - I'm glad that's agreed
Soda + Sheik: [Nod]
BYE!
This is for the fact that I can't sleep. Again, I apologise that it took so long to get this done - I've been rather busy of late, so I didn't have any time - or inspiration either.
Disclaimer: [Looks up] You really need to ask? Unless my mum did something that I'd really rather not know about, and I'm the love child of the leader of Nintendo, maybe. Other than that, it's a little obvious I didn't entail in the making of this amazing thing. Alexis (Blaise), Loki (and various other angel people), and Eloise are mine - that's about it.
In the last chapter, we had a little bit of an up and down thing going on. The guys now trust Blaise (yes, remember her real name is Alexis!) They just got through the Fire Temple, and I think there was definite vibes between Sheik and her...[cough] however, with the way I am, there's no point trying to guess who gets together with whom. [Grin] I am *so* annoying.
On to the Water temple soon [shiver] but ice before - me no like ice [shiver some more] Sheik, get over here!
Sheik: Huh? [Eyes bug out as Soda grabs him.]
Soda: Yay, I got my own patented Sheik blanket. [Growl] and I'm not sharing with no one!
[] = Alexis' thoughts
{} = Navi's thoughts
And HUGE apologies to everyone about me not being on ffnet for months! You are allowed to glomp me and glomp me good.
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
I awoke to find that I was still on the sofa in Eloise's front room - by the light cast by the window, I could tell that dawn wasn't far off. Moving my arm slightly, it brushed against something soft and furry. Looking down, I saw that both Link and Sheik were still there as well - and both of them had ended up using me as a leaning post as they slept. Sheik stirred slightly, as he rested on the arm I had moved, before resting his head again on my shoulder.
A soft glow pulsated from Link's hat, which I guessed had fallen off during the night. [Navi?] I thought. I had to try not to move - the other two needed their rest.
A small head poked out from the red folds of the hat. {Yeah? What is it?} She asked, blinking and stretching as she woke up properly. Then, she seemed to catch sight of what exactly 'it' was. A short bark of laughter escaped her lips, and she covered her mouth so as not to wake the boys. {Having a nice time up there?} She grinned, rising up to land on my knees.
[They look sort of cute when they're asleep] I observed, looking down at both of them. A strand of Link's abominably messy hair brushed against my nose, giving me a desperate urge to scratch it. I twitched it, trying to get rid of the itch, but it wouldn't go away. [Uh - Navi. You think you could scratch my nose for me?] Navi shook her head disbelievingly, but all the same buzzed up before my face, and reached out a small hand to scratch the itching spot. Wriggling my nose once more, I grinned at her. [Thanks.]
{You're welcome.} She yawned loudly. {Eurgh, it's far too early to be awake - the only problem is, now that I am awake, I can't fall asleep again!}
[Hey, at least you aren't being used as a pillow!] I interjected. Navi just laughed and returned to the hat on the floor.
{I'm going to try and go back to sleep - have fun.} She casually flipped the link off, and I shut my end as well. Shifting as gently as I could, I reached up to push my slipping glasses back up the bridge of my nose. To my abject annoyance, Sheik's head slipped from my shoulder, and landed heavily in my lap. Now I was really trapped. [Oh great.] Well, at least I had one hand free - though what use that was to me I couldn't actually figure out.
For the next half an hour or so, I looked out of the slightly ajar window, watching the town begin to stir all around us. I became able to distinguish the breathing patterns of both Link and Sheik - when they began to accelerate slightly, I knew with relief that they would soon wake up.
The first to awaken was Sheik, who slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times before he seemed to gain his bearings. "Morning," I whispered, a small grin crossing my face as his red eyes widened in surprise. He snapped up from my lap, and looked down at his lap in embarrassment. "Sleep well?" I asked. "Link seems to be anyway." I looked at Link, as did Sheik, who managed a soft laugh.
"Sorry about that - you can't have had a comfortable sleep."
"You don't say," I nodded, as Link also began to wake up. His reaction was pretty much the same as Sheik's - well, apart from the yell of surprise and the crash as he fell onto the floor. Eloise came running in with a look of fright on her face.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Oh, don't worry - Link just fell over, that's all," I answered, reaching out a hand to help him stand up again. "Are you alright?" he nodded mutely, and sat back down on the sofa.
"Sorry - it was just quite a shock to wake up like that," he said wryly, running a hand through his wild hair. "Where's my hat?" he muttered, before seeing it and reaching down to pick it up. Looking inside, he smiled gently. "Look," he mouthed, opening the hat so that Sheik, Eloise and I could see inside. Navi was snoozing gently, her small wings wrapped around her, and I could see why Link was smiling. The tempestuous fairy looked so sweet and gentle whilst sleeping. He gently put the hat back down, this time upon the table.
Keeping our voices low, we discussed our next destination - Eloise, obviously realizing that she couldn't really be much help in the conversation, went about her normal routine. "Is it the Water temple next?" I asked, and Sheik nodded. "Which means we have to go to Zora's domain, right?" Another nod.
"We should go as soon as we can; though, I wouldn't mind dropping in at the Ranch on our way. I can see whether Malon would let us borrow two more horses, so we can get around quicker," Link said.
"Good plan," Sheik stood up, and made for the front room to collect his stuff. Link followed, but I was able to stay where I sat, having bought my own pack through with me the previous night. Picking it up, I could feel extra weight, and opening it up, I saw another of those food packages Eloise had supplied us with. Also, my black tunic and trouser set had been cleaned, and was placed neatly on top of all my other things.
I decided that I could change my tunic later since we were going to stop off at the Ranch. I hoped that the girl Malon would have forgotten my name by some fortunate chance, or would think that I had perhaps given her my last one or some such. No matter, I could always say that she must be thinking of someone else; I would of course feel cruel to confuse her so much, but I didn't want my cover blown. It was my fault entirely of course...
The hat on the table quivered, and Navi burst out in a blaze of light. "Good morning!" she said brightly, doing a little twirl in the air to wake herself up completely. "Where're the other two?"
"Getting their stuff," I answered. "We're gonna go to the Ranch and see if we can borrow two more horses to get around quicker."
"Oh - good plan," she nodded, landing back on the hat. "It'll be nice for Link to see Malon again." Both of us smiled secretively at this. After a few more minutes, however, Navi was beginning to get impatient, and buzzed her way over to the door. With all the strength that her little fairy body could muster, she barged straight into the door, and yelled, "C'mon, what's taking you two so long?" She backed up and was charging again when Sheik opened the door. His eyes widened in surprise, and Navi barrelled head first into the space right between his eyes.
Dazed, she spiralled away, and landed on the banister to recollect herself. Sheik bought his hand up the impact spot, and shook his head. "Crazy fairy," he chuckled, hitching his pack off of the floor. "Right, well, we'd best get going. It's going to take a few hours to get across the field with only one horse." Link nodded in agreement, and I just shrugged. I wasn't really all that keen on the idea of riding a horse around the field - I had never even sat on one before.
{Really?} Navi's voice pierced my silent worrying. {Well, you can always learn at the Ranch. I thought every Hylian knew how to ride a horse!}
[Yeah...well, I'm different, aren't I?] I smiled. [It'll be an interesting experience anyway. If I fall off, you're not allowed to laugh, OK?]
{Yes - of *course* I won't laugh,} she said, and I didn't believe one syllable of it.
*
Link played the same lulling tune that had bought the red mare to him before. There was a whinny in the distance; from the steps, I could see far over the vast field, and over to the south, on the other side of the river, I could see the beautiful creature cantering towards us. Link went down and crossed the bridge to wait for her - I hung back, having spied something on the horizon. However, I blinked, and whatever had been there had disappeared.
"Hey Epona. Hey girl, how're you doing?" Link crooned to the horse, patting her muzzle. Sheik and I sent amused looks to one another, before returning attention to Link when he began to speak again. "You don't mind if I ride along on Epona do you?" I shook my head, as did Sheik. He grinned. "Great! I love riding," and with that, he took off in a flash of bridle and reins over the bridge and into the main field.
"You have to be kidding me," Navi said, being buffeted in the slipstream of the horse. "I refuse to try and fly to keep up with that crazy Hylian." She landed on my shoulder.
"And did I say you could hitch a ride?" I asked jokingly. "We don't have to run after him, do we?"
"Nah - he'll come back in a minute," Sheik said. "I hope." I laughed at his semi joke, and we set off after the small dot, which was Link and Epona.
"He sure can ride though," I commented, as Link made a fly-by and grabbed Navi from my shoulder. Her protests at being grabbed in such an ungainly manner could be heard as he sped away, and I laughed. "Hey, Link!" I called to him, and he reined the horse expertly in front of me.
"Yeah?"
"Oh - I was just going to ask if you knew how to stop that thing..." I blinked in surprise. "But, obviously..." And with that, he sped off again. Soon, I was dizzy from trying to follow all his stunts. "OK, he really needs to grow up," I said dryly, as he stood up in the stirrups, and let go with both hands.
Link at last calmed down enough to trot along next to Sheik and I. The field was much calmer than usual, the early morning sun shining and making the grass look fresh and green. Hell, there were even a few flowers dotted around - not exactly what you'd expect from a world that was apparently being run by an evil megalomaniac. The Ranch could at last be seen on the horizon, and off Link went again, galloping at full tilt. {HELP!} Navi's desperate voice came in my head. {I think I'm going to be sick!}
[Well, tell Link that, and I'm sure he'll let you off.] Sure enough, a couple of seconds, Link came to a complete stop, and Navi tumbled to the ground, nauseous green. When Link laughed, she turned a bright red and flew at him - being the ingenious man that he is, he dug his heels into Epona's flank and took off.
{Eurgh...I don't feel too good.}
[I'm not surprised.] "Hey, Sheik, have you got any of that mead on you?" [It'll buck you up I should think]. I looked around at him - he didn't answer. "Sheik?"
"Shh. Don't you hear something?" I strained my ears, and thought I could hear a soft rumbling in the distance. Epona's hoof beats made it difficult to make the sound out properly though. "Link, stop prancing around will you?" Sheik yelled bad temperedly, and Link did so, leading Epona back to us.
Looking in the direction I though the sound was coming from, I saw a sight that made my blood run cold. The army that we had seen on the journey to Kakariko the first time had been nothing to this. The numbers were not so large, but they were all mounted upon fearsome looking horses; at least, they looked pretty fearsome from this distance. I didn't want to see what they'd be like close up. "Sheik. Would I be right in thinking that's not a good sign," I pointed to the oncoming mass.
"Yes, I'd say that's a good assessment." He said calmly. "Running would be good."
"We'll never be fast enough if we run - and we have no cover apart from the Ranch. If we take Epona, we should get there just in time."
"But, will she be able to hold all three of us?" I asked dubiously. However, it seemed I wouldn't be answered, as Link had already swung up, and Sheik was climbing on.
"Come on Blaise, up you get!" Again, I was dubious, as I looked up at the horse. I remembered the block in the Fire temple as Link reached down to pull me on. He dropped me in the saddle in front of him, grabbed the reins, and yelled loudly as he dug his heels in. "Hyahh! Go Epona!" Navi, who had managed to find a place on my shoulder, clung on to my collar for dear life. Epona didn't seem to notice that she was carrying two extra people and a fairy, and thundered off just as fast as she had been going before. The mass of dark creatures was coming from the north, from the town - we were speeding west towards the Ranch.
Link urged Epona faster - I could begin to distinguish separate figures in the crowd now. That tall one in the centre in the cloak. It couldn't be...[Ganondorf!]
{What?} Navi dared to take her head from my shoulder, and looked up. {Oh Goddesses!} "Faster Link, Ganondorf's with them!" Link's arms tensed on the reins, and I could hear the small snap as he ground his teeth together.
"Come on Epona," he hissed - the horse gave off a last burst of speed, and we were miraculously within the gates. He turned her around, and she intuitively backed into the shadows - about twenty seconds later, the horde of dark riders thundered past.
"That was close," Sheik muttered, and I felt an insane urge to laugh. I pushed it down, and swung round so that both legs were on one side, before hopping off the horse. I stumbled slightly, but I thought it was a good dismount since I had never done one before.
"Let's go in - good girl," Link patted Epona on her back. "You deserve a rest." We walked up to the second pair of gates and entered the Ranch.
*
Malon was more than happy to see us again. She was immediately hospitable, asking us whether we were hungry or thirsty. Since we didn't know when we might eat again, we accepted the invitation to eat in the house. Following her, I noticed how elegantly she walked on the high shoes that she wore, and wondered how on earth she did it. {Practice I suppose}
[They're so high though - I'd never be able to keep my balance in those things!]
{I'm lucky, I don't even have to worry about shoes} Navi laughed. {Flying sure has its advantages over walking in that respect - and I can't exactly fall over.} Link grabbed her out of the air again, seeming to have forgotten what wroth he was unleashing. {But, that can be a problem} she squeaked indignantly, before beating Link up. Malon looked on, unsure of how to take the speeding ball of light.
"Don't worry about those two," I told her, nudging her elbow so that she carried on down the narrow corridor into the house. "They always fight - it's a normal thing now." She smiled, and looked back at Link,
"Poor Link - he's getting beaten up by his fairy," she laughed. The girl was nice, if a bit simple - well, what could I expect from a girl who had grown up without an education. "Come on you two, stop fighting and come through to the kitchen!" Link looked up, and Navi stopped bashing him around the head.
{Oops, I made him look bad in front of his crush} she moaned guiltily.
[Don't worry, I think she thought it was sweet] I thought back, following Malon into the kitchen, which was surprisingly spacious. Various pots and pans hung down from hooks on the ceiling, along with bunches of herbs and some drying streaks of bacon.
"You're lucky you came when you did - I was just about to get lunch started. I'll just cook up a few extra pieces of bacon and we should be all right." She did just that, haphazardly throwing the pink strips of meat into a sizzling pan. She chopped up a loaf of bread with amazing speed, and within ten minutes, there was a veritable feast set upon the roughly hewn wooden tabletop. "Father!" she called up the stairs. "Lunch is ready!"
There were shifting sounds as Talon descended the stairs, carrying a couple of milk crates. Quick as a flash, I jumped up and opened the door, since I sat closest to it. "Thanks," he grunted, as he went through it. Then, he turned back around, and looked with slight surprised at the table. "Malon, why didn't you tell me we had guests dear?"
Malon just smiled, and pointed at the table, "It doesn't matter - just eat before it gets cold!" I could see Link's eyes unfocus as he looked at Malon smiling, and looking back at her, I saw a slight blush rising in her cheeks. Navi made a retching sound to me, and I had to stifle a giggle as Malon walked over to sit down. Link shifted up, pushing Sheik forcibly so that he fell off of his chair, so that Malon could sit next to him. This time, I really did laugh, but the atmosphere was so jovial that no one seemed to care.
"Here, Sheik, sit next to me," I offered, moving up on the small bench that I sat on so that he could sit down again at the table. For a few moments, it was quiet as everyone looked at the food. "Um - are we going to eat or what?" I asked, my stomach speaking for me.
"Of course!" Malon laughed. "Help yourselves for Goddesses' sakes, I don't want all this to go to waste!" This broke the stillness as everyone reached out and grabbed what they wanted, passing plates of foodstuffs to one another and so on. When everyone had at last received their fill of all they wanted, we sat back and talked for a while.
Finally, the conversation turned to the reason we had come in the first place. "We were wondering whether we could possibly borrow a couple of your horses, so that we can get around the field more quickly," Link said, breaking his stare away from Malon and looking at Talon.
"Don't look at me laddie, Malon's the one for the horses," he said, standing up and making his way to the stairs. Malon just laughed and shook her head, carrying on her clearing of the table.
"Of course we'll lend you horses - I can't promise that they'll come when you call like Epona does, but they'll be the finest horses in Hyrule, that's for sure."
"Thanks Malon!" Link cried, beaming at her - her face was almost as red as her hair.
*
"No, dig your heels in to start, and let them loose when you want to stop. Just saying 'whoa' won't work if you dig your heels in!" Malon was barking instructions at me as I tried to get to grips with the horse I had been given. It was a beautiful creature - grey with a slightly darker mane and tail to the rest of it - it just didn't seem to want to co-operate. Malon sure didn't look like it, but she could yell louder than my combat teacher ever had.
"Whoa there," I said softly to the horse, this time letting my heels hang loose just as Malon had instructed. It slowed to a walk, before coming to a complete stop.
"Good!" Malon beamed up at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Link and Sheik racing around the edge of the paddock on their charges. Link was again seated upon Epona, and Sheik was riding a large ruddy brown stallion that went by the name of 'Valar'. "Now, let's try some jumping shall we?" Malon said, though I could tell that I couldn't really say no. It was a skill I had to learn whether I liked it or not. I really didn't like it...
"Turn the horse about, and line it up with that low fence," Malon instructed. I pulled gently on the right side of the reins, and the horse followed in turning to the right. The fence came into view, and with a few nudges and whispered instructions, I managed to line up. "Now, start off at a canter, and then dig your heels in hard about ten yards before the fence."
"OK - here I go," I waved at her, before urging the horse forwards at a steady pace. At the ten yards mark, I dug my heels in firmly, and the horse shot forwards, leaping gracefully over the fence and landing perfectly on the other side. At the landing, I was thrown forwards in the saddle, the only thing saving me from toppling to the ground being my steed's neck. Shakily, I lifted a hand, and patted it on the neck. "Well done."
Malon repeated the very same words as she came over, "Well done, that was excellent!" She too patted the horse on the neck. "Her name is Nostawen by the way."
"Nostawen - it suits her," I lifted my leg up and over so that I could hop off the horse, and landed nimbly on the ground. Three hours in the saddle sure doesn't do your back any good I found as I straightened up. I was quite surprised that the name thing hadn't come up - very glad about it as well. And the horses she had given to us were as good as she had said they would be.
Sheik and Link drew up next to us, Sheik holding up the five rupees he had won from the bet triumphantly. "I take it you won then?" Malon asked, raising an amused eyebrow at Link's sour expression. "Don't be so gloomy Link, Epona's probably tired after everything she's been through today." Link just nodded, Epona pawed the ground with her hoof and Navi snored a little more loudly on the top of the gatepost.
Looking up at the sun, Sheik remarked, "We'd best get going soon if we want to reach Zora's Domain before nightfall."
"Oh - well, you should go then. I wouldn't wish any of you to be out on the field at night with all those monsters!" Malon looked terrified at the very idea.
"Don't worry Malon, we can take care of ourselves," Link assured her. "I guess it's goodbye again," he reached down, and to Malon's delight and surprise, took her left hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.
[How adorable!]
{Yeuch...} Navi said sleepily as she sat up on the post.
[Hehehe!]
~*~*~*~
As we drew closer to Zora's Domain, an Arctic wind blew across us. I shivered, cursing myself again on forgetting to bring a cloak. The best I could do was to yank my Zoran tunic from my bag, and put it on over the Goron one. I would have to switch them around later on, but for now I was only interested in not becoming an ice cube. We ploughed on, the sun beginning to set behind us, and from above, small white flakes were falling.
Snow. Snow was falling in the height of summer. [What the...?]
{My sentiments exactly}. We rounded the corner, and Navi thought a very rude word indeed. { - ! The whole river's been frozen!}
[There's dark magic here - very dark] I thought, shivering slightly as another gust blew over us. We carried on down the river, having to leave the horses before we could hop over and carry on. Link and Sheik both had cloaks on, and my two layers kept me just warm enough as long as I did not stop moving for too long.
Soon, we reached the gate which was the official barrier between the field and the domain of the Zoran people. It was rusted beyond repair, and swinging precariously on its hinges. We walked past it, lowering our heads as the snow was blown directly into our faces by a fierce breeze. In some places, the river was frozen hard enough for us to walk on - which we did, making our way to the other bank, and then going on upstream all the while.
The snow was falling more heavily now, and I could see the flakes were large, and didn't melt as they settled on all of us. {Oof!} Navi exclaimed, as a particularly large flake caused her to bodily slam onto the ground. Luckily, the snow already there made the landing quite a soft one. I reached down and scooped her up onto my shoulder, where she hid under my hair, shivering.
"Look out!" Sheik called, pointing to where an octorok was emerging from beneath the water. Link made short work of it with his arrows, and we carried on up the river. Now, I could hear the roar of a great waterfall, though through the hail of snow, I could not see it yet. When another gust of harsh wind blew, the view was cleared just enough for us to make out the majestic falls, cascading down on the other side of many sets of earthen bridges.
Link seemed to know his way around well, and led us to a ladder on the far side of the lowest bridge. "Here," he said, "Go up this, and carry on until you reach the stone inlay before the waterfall." I swung myself up first, being wary of the slippery rungs and climbed up to the top. Then, stepping around icy patches, and avoiding parts of the bridges which seemed unstable, made my way to the very top. Soon enough, both Sheik and Link joined me, their teeth chattering.
Link pulled out the ocarina of time, and played the same melody that he had done when we had visited the Great Fairy on Death Mountain. The falls before us slowed, revealing a tunnel behind, and after a curt nod, he leapt the gap and landed within it. Sheik followed, arching a graceful path through the air. I wasn't really so sure about the jump. {I could lift you across if you like} Navi offered, the sound of her chattering teeth resounding in my head.
[No, you need to keep rested. I can do this.]
{You sure?}
[You remember the drawbridge when we first met? Of course I'm sure!] I said, and backed up. I ran, jumped, and landed within the tunnel perfectly. "Well, come on then," I pushed Link and Sheik forwards into the shadowy tunnel.
"Oh Goddesses." Was the first thing I heard when we reached the end of the tunnel. I'm not quite sure who said it - for all I know it could have been me. Whoever it was, I heartily agreed. From my knowledge, Zora's domain was the source of Zora's river - the place where the fish people, the Zorans lived. It was all water, with a huge waterfall from which a diving game was held, and an underwater portal to lake Hylia.
All I could see was ice - lots of it. Everything was frozen, including the waterfall - patches of ice and frost clung onto the floor, and icicles hung in sparkling fingers from the high ceiling. "Ganondorf," Link spat bitterly, looking around in horror at the sparkling winter wonderland which had once been the home of one of the six races.
"Aye, the bastard," I agreed, and Sheik looked at me in shock for my usage of a swear word. "What, it's the truth isn't it?" He just nodded.
"C'mon, let's see if there's anyone around." Link headed up the steep path, and as usual, we followed him, being careful not to slip and fall onto the frozen water far below. At long last, we came to a huge staircase, where you could barely see the light at the top. "I always hated these stairs," Link admitted as he went up them, taking them two at a time. I followed at the daintier pace of one step at a time, wondering if there'd ever be a time when I didn't have to run.
{Not likely} Navi said. {C'mon, it's not that bad!}
[Yeah - well, you have a lift!] I panted back. [Demons, I think I hate climbing almost as much as running.]
Finally, finally, we reached the top of the hellish stairs - well, Link and Sheik got there first, and didn't even wait for me. "Guys?" I said, panicking slightly in the gloom. Suddenly, a torch burst into light, and I could see thrown into relief the throne room of the great King Zora. He didn't seem to be saying much however; being coated in red ice made that little wonder.
Link banged his fist angrily on the wall. "That evil...!" he hissed, unable to find a word dark enough to complete the sentence, and I knew he was talking about none other than Ganondorf. "First the ice, and now this!" He sprinted over to a small corridor to the left of the throne room, and made his way up to the seat of the king. He walked across, and stretched out a hand to touch the red ice.
"Don't!" I yelled. "I've got a feeling that wouldn't be wise." He dropped his hand and looked at me quizzically. To make my point, I picked up a close by pebble and threw it at the red ice encasing the king. It also became wrapped in ice and clattered to the floor.
"Ah," Sheik nodded. "I see - obviously some dark magic or other. Which means we probably have to defeat some creature before we can thaw this place out."
"Well, what's new?" Navi breathed, looking at the pebble apprehensively. "Maybe we should head into the fountain - perhaps some of the Zoras escaped to there."
"It's as good a starting place as any," Link agreed. "The entrance is back here - just be careful as you walk by him." Link shuffled past the lump of ice and royalty, and stood on the other side of the decorative trellising to wait for us. "Now to see what other damage has been done," his face was set in a stern, braced glare as we splashed through the tunnel into the fountain.
Yet again, everything was frozen - great ice flows floated upon the water and snow was falling from the sky once more. I have no idea how we managed to make our way across them, but we did, and ended up in a cave on the far side of the fountain. Icicles stood from the floor and hung from the ceiling, and frost clung to the walls. Our breath misted before us as we moved through.
There was a tinkling sound above, and a stalactite of ice crashed down just in front of us. "That was close," Sheik yelled in shock as he stumbled back a couple of steps. "Tread carefully," he advised. Yeah, like I hadn't been already! A few more fallen icicles and slips on the icy floor later, we emerged into a great ice cavern.
"What the...?" Link pointed to a huge sconce in the centre of the room, in which burnt a vibrant blue flame. "You don't think there are Poes here do you?" he asked, obviously remembering the Forest Temple.
"I don't think so," Navi's voice was muffled through Link's hat, under which she had taken refuge. "Poes don't like the cold much."
A dripping sound caught my attention, and looking again at the blue flame, I could see that some of the red ice clung to the ceiling above it was melting. "Hey!"
{My line!}
"Shh Navi! Look up there. The blue fire's melting the red ice. We could use it to thaw out the king!" Link looked like he could have hugged me to death for noticing that. With a gleeful look, he took out a bottle, and scooped some of the fire into it. Then, after a pause, he filled his other bottles as well.
"You never know, we might need more of this stuff," he reasoned, putting them back in that seemingly bottomless pack of his. "Come on, let's get out of here." He made to leave, when there was a huge rumble. The ice rattled and broke, sending hundreds of tiny shards raining down on us. "Uh-oh."
[Uh-oh indeed!] I thought as the floor gave way underneath us. "OUCH!" We hit the ground hard, and scuffled to get out of the way of huge slabs of ice raining down on us. At last, the crisis seemed to have ended, and we took our arms from over our heads to see where we were. "Eep." There were five huge white Wolfos standing before us, eyes gleaming.
*
King Zora yawned and stretched as the last traces of the red ice melted away around him. "What? What happened? Who are you three?" he looked around in confusion, shaking his head. "Where's that rude desert man gone; I'd like to give him a piece of my mind! Coming here and demanding this that and the other!" he puffed out his chest and I could see the ends of his flippers turn an angry red.
"Sire," Link cut in, bowing low. "You were frozen by his dark magic - do you not remember?"
The fish king blinked, and then comprehension flashed across his features. "Ah yes! I remember! And you three thawed me out. Thank you, may the Goddesses bless you and make your home waters fresh and clear!" I cast an amused look towards Link, who bit back a snort. "I must reward you - I cannot do much, but take these," he pulled two Zoran tunics out of what seemed like thin air, and handed them to Link and Sheik.
"And also these - they shall make travelling beneath the waves easier." And again, out of nowhere, he pulled three pairs of boots. Their soles were made of heavy iron.
"Thank you sire - but what of the rest of your kind?" Sheik asked, putting the heavy boots down on the floor.
"Alas," the king said sadly. "They that weren't frozen all fled away. My dear Ruto..." he trailed off into miserable silence. "Wait!" his fishy eyes regained some fire. "You boy - I know you! You saved Ruto from Jabu-Jabu all those years ago!" Link nodded, and Zora clapped his fins. "Oh the Goddesses have smiled down! You can save her! She is in the Temple in Lake Hylia."
"Well, sire, we need to know where the Temple is." The king waved his hand carelessly, and a map fluttered down before our feet.
"Now go, and do not return until you have saved my dear daughter!" he waved his fin to dismiss us, and we started down the long stairway.
"OK - did anyone else find that a little bit odd?" I asked.
"Just a bit," Sheik nodded, peering at the map. "Oh - I have an idea. It'll probably take up a bit more magic than I'd like, but I can't be bothered to travel all the way to lake Hylia. Link, get the Ocarina, and we'll warp there."
[Finally, some sense!] I thought gratefully, sitting down on the steps and watching as Link learned the Water Temple melody.
~*~*~*~
We landed upon the Tri-Force symbol at lake Hylia, and I fell flat on my butt to prevent Link from landing on top of me again. Immediately, I noticed the lack of water in the great lake, apart from around the outcropping we had landed on. [I can hardly wait until we get to kill him,] I thought angrily.
{Aye.}
"So, where is the Temple anyway?" I asked, trying to grab the map from Sheik. He elbowed me away, and my feet came into contact with the edge of the outcrop. "Careful!" I said, hurrying forwards again.
"Sorry," he answered curtly, turning around in a full circle before smiling and putting the map away.
"So, where is it?" Navi prompted. He just grinned some more, and sat down, dangling his legs over the edge. Before any of us could stop him, he slid over and down the side. "Sheik!" Navi zoomed after him. There was a splash far below, and then a spluttering laugh. Looking over the edge, I could see Sheik bobbing about in the water far below.
"C'mon you two, we haven't got all day," he yelled up. After a quick glance at Link, I shrugged, and jumped.
~/*\~/*\~/*\~
And I'm going to cut it off there so that I can have the next chapter for the Temple and then the little bit afterwards. Sorry again for the delay. Sheik and I are now going to go and sleep.
Sheik: O.o
Soda: What? OH! You didn't think- EWW!
Sheik: Hey! I'm great and wonderful, remember!
Soda: But...gross!
Sheik: Are you saying you wouldn't?
Soda: [Covers ears] Oh God, I can't believe you're even. ARGH!
Sheik: [Grins to readers] Ah, how I've missed scaring her like this.
Soda: [Throttles Sheik]
Sheik: [Cries]
Soda: Whoops...heh...looks like I have to reconcile before I can write anymore now. I'm sorry Sheik! SORRY!
Sheik: Git
Soda: That means pregnant camel...
Sheik: O.o you are so weird
Soda: [Nods] Now, let's go! And no, we're not!
Sheik: Good - I'm glad that's agreed
Soda + Sheik: [Nod]
BYE!
