Chapter 2 - Of Swords and Shields
O-chan lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was having trouble sleeping. Whilst the Kokiris slept, the forest was very much alive and she could hear every living thing. This was something she had never experienced before but she put it down to the fact that she did not have large, pointed ears before.
She raised a hand to touch them as she thought about it. They felt very strange and she couldn't help feeling slightly ridiculous. She had not noticed them straight away, when she had first caught sight of herself in the pond.
She shuddered as she remembered her reflection. It had been such a shock, seeing herself with the face of an eleven year old. Okay, so she should have expected it but what had made it such a blow was the fact that her mind was still fifteen.
Rolling over, she pulled the itchy sheet about her, trying to keep out the chilly breeze that was blowing through the doorway. Her gaze fell on the ocarina lying on the tree stump table beside her boots. No, it wasn't Saria's ocarina but hers. According to Link, she was able to play the ocarina just as well as Saria. At least, that is what he thought until she attempted to play it.
SCREECH!
Link covered his ears and Saria winced. Ima had dived behind Saria's hair in an attempt to escape the terrible sound. O-chan lowered the ocarina apologetically.
"Sorry."
O-chan grimaced as she remembered. It wasn't her fault. She had never had much luck when it came to playing music. She had no talent for music; she couldn't even read it very well.
She fetched the ocarina and sat down on her bed cross-legged, running her fingers along it. The wood was smooth and soft and was, strangely, white in colour. It caught the moonlight and gave off a rather eerie glow. Slowly, she raised it to her lips and played a single note. It didn't sound half bad so she played another. Still doing well she played a third and then a fourth. As she did so, she tried to match the sounds to those produced by pressing the buttons on the control pad.
This is 'A', I think so this would be Up and Down, Left and Right.
She tested her theory by attempting Zelda's lullaby. It didn't sound perfect but it was almost recognisable. Lying back on her pillow, she played random notes over and over, trying to memorise which was which.
The sounds of the forest began to grow distant and soon died away as she fell asleep, the ocarina resting beside her.
A rustle of leaves could be heard in the Great Deku Tree's clearing as something slithered through the forest. A sinister laugh could be heard faintly, carried on the wind yet no one was awake to hear it. No one could hear it but the Great Deku Tree himself. He could sense the evil creature approaching and even through the darkness he could see its black armour and piercing yellow eye.
"Who are you?!" he demanded. "You are one of evil spirit and I will not allow such a thing to enter this forest. Be gone!"
The creature did not leave. Instead, it let out another soft yet sinister laugh before lunging at the defenceless trunk of the Great Deku Tree.
"Heh heh heh," it murmured. "A tree cannot move. A poor being it is."
It sank its pincers into the sacred bark of the Forest Guardian and began to burrow through, deep into its heart. The Great Deku Tree could do nothing but feel the excruciating pain as the creature and the curse that it carried buried itself deep within him. He let out a soft groan of pain.
From the leaves of the top most branches, two fairies emerged, one pale blue in colour and the other a pallid yellow.
"Great Deku Tree? Great Deku Tree, hold on!"
Another small groan escaped the Great Deku Tree. The two fairies flitted down to him.
"Please Great Deku Tree! Please hold on!"
"Navi, isn't it? And Iku..?" he asked hoarsely. "Listen to my words, the words of the Deku Tree... Dost thou sense it? The climate of evil descending upon this realm...
Malevolent forces even now are mustering to attack our land of Hyrule...For so long, the Kokiri Forest, the source of life, has stood as a barrier, deterring outsiders and maintaining the order of the world...But...before this tremendous evil power, even my power is as nothing... Just now, a creature of evil entered inside me. I am losing my freedom."
"Great Deku Tree, what must we do?!"
"It seems the time has come for the boy and girl without a fairy to begin their journey...The youths whose destiny it is to lead Hyrule to the path of justice and truth...Navi, Iku...go now! Find our young friends and guide them to me...I do not have much time left. Fly, Navi, fly, Iku! The fate of the forest, nay, the world, depends upon thee!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The barren wasteland stretched as far as the eye could see. They stood there, encircled by mist as they watched the man of evil sitting astride his demon steed raise his hand, concentrating darkness in his fingers. Once more they were paralysed by fear but this time they knew what was to come.
A malicious grin crossed the man's face as he directed the evil force towards them. Distantly, they could hear voices. Small, tinkling voices yet they seemed anxious.
"You must hurry! Hurry! You must come! Come on! Come on..."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"...Come on! Wake up!"
A smack in the side of the head caused O-chan to fall out of bed. The thump made on contact with the floor was not painful but enough to jolt her out of her dream.
"Huh? Wha? What's going on?" she said sleepily, searching blearily for the source of the voice. "Who's there? Where are you?"
"I'm up here!" the strange voice declared.
She took a moment to sit up and rub her eyes before looking up. It was a fairy, illuminating the ceiling of her house with a pale yellowish glow. She frowned and rubbed her eyes.
"Who are you?"
The fairy's aura grew brighter, showing it was annoyed, and showered a trail of golden glitter onto her head.
"Well! That's not very polite! I don't think this is the attitude of someone who has been summoned to the Great Deku Tree's presence."
At the fairy's words O-chan found herself to be fully away.
"The Great Deku Tree summoned me?! But that means...Oh no! What's wrong with him! Don't tell me he's been attacked already!" She started to her feet, looking frantically up at the fairy. "Please tell me he's okay. Please!"
"Hey, hey hey! Calm down O-chan!" the fairy said; flying just out of reach as she was worried the girl might do something stupid.
"CALM?! How can I be calm?! The Deku Tree's in trouble and - wait, how did you know my name?"
The fairy jingled. O-chan suspected she was laughing at her.
"Everyone knows your name! We all know about the girl and boy who don't have fairies!"
Oh! So she was well-known even by the fairies of the forest. That was just great.
"It's not my fault I don't have a fairy," she grumbled. "That's just how the game works but I will get one."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing," she said hastily. She glanced up at the yellow orb hovering close to the door. "Have you come to be my fairy?"
"Something like that."
"Really?! Oh wow!"
Now she knew what Link must feel like in the game when he gets Navi. As she thought of this, she took a moment to study the fairy.
"You don't look like Navi. Your colour is all wrong."
Once more, the aura around the fairy glowed brightly.
"Why should I look like Navi?!" she huffed angrily. "My name is Iku! Navi has gone to find Link!"
"So Link's got a fairy as well now?"
"Yes and both of you have been called to the Great Deku Tree's clearing. So get a move on!"
The fairy was still grumbling as she flew out the door. O-chan clumsily pulled on her boots and followed her, taking her time on the ladder.
It was morning now and the Kokiri tribe were all up and busy at work. From where she stood she could see the Know-It-All brothers toiling hard. One was trying to pull up the grass, another clearing the rocks outside Mido's house and the last was practicing chopping non-existent objects with an imaginary sword. Several of the female Kokiris were strolling about, carrying things or just standing and watching.
The scene was the one she had seen many a time. It was just like it was when Link first leaves his house and is greeted by Saria. And speaking of Saria:
"O-chan! O-chan! It's wonderful! Link has a fairy! Such a pretty little blue creature named Navi!"
The green-haired girl halted in front of her, smiling. Link arrived shortly after, followed by Navi, and was grinning from ear to ear. He looked very pleased.
"O-chan, this is Navi. Navi, O-chan."
The blue fairy bobbed in greeting.
"Good day O-chan."
O-chan smiled.
"Hello Navi."
"Ah, big deal. She has her own fairy too you know," a small voice chimed from above them.
Iku flitted down and circled O-chan's head. Saria clapped her hands with joy.
"Oh this is fantastic. I'm so happy for you O-chan! Your very own fairy!"
O-chan beamed and Iku landed on her shoulder.
"She's great, isn't she?" she said, causing the fairy's aura to tinge slightly with pink. Then she turned to Link. "Have you been summoned to the Great Deku Tree as well?"
Link nodded.
"Really? The Great Deku Tree summoned you?" Saria gasped. They both nodded. "This is such an honour! Oh wow! Oh, dear, I'm holding you up! Go on! Go! Go!"
Link grabbed O-chan's arm and tugged her towards the clearing where the Deku Tree resided. She protested because his grip hurt but he did not hear. He dragged her over the stepping stones. This time she managed to make it across safely. Link continued to drag her, following the two glowing fairies.
"Nearly there. Come, on, keep up!" Iku called.
"We're coming!" O-chan shouted. She wasn't sure she liked Iku, she was way too bossy.
The entrance came into sight and both of them smiled.
"Great! We're almost there!" Link grinned.
"Yeah!" O-chan beamed back and then her face fell as she saw the figure standing in the way.
"Outta the way Mido!" Link barked, halting before the opposing Kokiri and causing O-chan to crash into him.
Mido dusted his nails on his shirt and studied them.
"Lemme think about it for a second. Hmm...no. You're not getting past."
"But the Great Deku Tree summoned us!" Link yelled angrily. "Right O- chan?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Yes he did. Move it Mido!"
"The Great Deku Tree summoned YOU?! Mr and Mrs No-fairy? I think not!" Mido sneered back, smirking as he crossed his arms.
"We do have fairies Mr Know-It-All! Look!"
Link snatched Navi from the air, causing her to squeal slightly.
"See. A fairy. O-chan's got one too! Let us past!"
"Fairies actually came to you two?" Mido was shocked for a minute and then he scoffed and shook his head. "So what? You're still freaks. Why would the Great Deku Tree summon you and not the great Mido, chief of the Kokiri?"
"Probably because your over-sized head won't fit through the entrance to the clearing," O-chan muttered.
"What did you say?!" Mido demanded, narrowing his beady eyes.
"I said you had a big head now move aside!"
"No! Not after that insult!"
Iku grew bright and shot forward into Mido's face.
"Listen you! The Great Deku Tree has ordered for Link and O-chan to go to him! You are delaying something that is extremely important and if you don't move then you'll be the one with the guilt of the forest dying!!! What do you say to that?! Huh?! Won't be so great then, will ya?! You'll be Mido the Meanie!! Mido the Murderer!! Now move!!"
Mido gaped like a fish as the fairy shouted.
"Mur-murderer? Me? N-no, I can't have that," he spluttered.
"Then why are you still standing there?!"
"W-well," Mido drew himself up to his full height and cleared his throat. "I'm not letting them past without the proper weaponry. Neither of them even have a sword or a shield. Come back with those and then you can go past but until then you ain't going nowhere."
"That's so unfair!" Link cried. "Where are we gonna find stuff like that?!"
"That's your problem. Until you do, you aren't getting past."
"Why you dirty, little -"
"Link it's okay," O-chan said, pulling him back. "We'll do what you want. We'll be back in no time." She stuck her tongue out at Mido and then towed the grumbling Link away.
"That jerk!" Link shouted when they were a fair distance away. "That selfish pig! Does he really think he is better than us?! What gives him the right to tell us what to do?!"
"Nothing but we won't get to the Deku Tree by complaining about Mido. It's quicker just to fetch what he demanded. Besides," she grinned, "I wanna see the look on his face when we show up armed for battle."
"But where are we gonna find all that stuff? I don't have a sword or a shield and neither do you."
"Do you have forty rupees?"
"I think so. Yeah."
"Fetch them and meet me outside the shop."
Link nodded and went off to his tree house whilst O-chan began to hunt around for rupees in the grass, on the pillars and under rocks.
People hide money in the weirdest places, she thought as she stuffed another green rupee into her pouch. Very weird.
O-chan and Link emerged from the Kokiri shop sometime later, both examining their brand new deku shields.
"I didn't know they stocked them," Link said, running his hand over the smooth wood. "Great craftsmanship though."
"Mmm. Must have just got them in," O-chan suggested, slinging hers over her back.
As Link did the same he said:
"Okay, so we got the shields but what about swords? I haven't seen any of those around."
O-chan winked.
"Follow me."
She led him across the village, managing the pond without any trouble at all now, having had so much practice whilst hunting for money. Together they climbed over the fences, towards the Know-It-All brother fighting with the invisible blade. O-chan crouched down, pulled the grass aside and smiled at Link.
"See, there's a gap."
"So?"
"So, we have to go through here."
Getting down on her hands and knees she carefully crept into the passage. Being trapped in an eleven-year-old Kokiri body certainly had its advantages. There was no way she'd have fitted through here in her normal one. Iku flew ahead, lighting the way.
"This passage is a lot longer than I remember," O-chan muttered as she pulled herself forwards.
"What was that?" Link's muffled voice called back from behind her.
"Doesn't matter!"
O-chan crawled a few more feet and came out into the hidden cavern. She got up and moved to the side where she waited until Link eventually emerged.
"Okay, now what?" he asked, dusting himself down.
"We get the swords of course."
"Where from?"
"They're just around there," she said, pointing. "But we have to wait for the - Link! No!"
Link had just run around the corner. There was a thud and a yelp of pain as the rock sent him flying before rolling off again.
"Link? Link, are you okay?"
"Ow..." came the reply.
"If you had just waited," O-chan tutted, pulling him up and out of the way of the rocks path.
"How was I supposed to know it was there?" he grumbled.
O-chan rolled her eyes. The two waited for the rock to go past again and then followed it round. As they turned a second corner, they saw a small alcove and quickly ducked inside. The rock thundered behind past them.
"Hey, that was easy," Link smiled.
Then his eyes fell on the large wooden chest. They widened.
"Wow! A treasure chest! What's in it?"
"Why don't you open it?"
Link smiled sheepishly and attempted to lift the lid. He struggled for quite a while but eventually he managed to shift it upwards and open, with a bit of effort. A strange glow emanated from within as he leant forwards and snatched the contents from the bottom. He straightened up.
"Well?" O-chan enquired.
He turned, grinning from ear to ear. In his hands were two matching swords, both about the length of a Kokiri's arm with a smooth handle that fitted into their hands easily. O-chan couldn't help grinning too as Link handed one to her. Both admired them for a few minutes. Link then did a couple of swipes, slicing the grass into pieces before they sheathed them behind the shields.
"Are we ready then?" Link asked.
O-chan nodded. They were ready. There was nothing Mido could do to stop them getting to the Deku Tree now. Nothing.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lady-obsessed: I'm sorry! I know it's been a month since I began this story but I really needed to get some work done on Opposites Attract plus I was lazy and had minor writer's block. Again, I'm sorry but it's here now! I hope you liked it.
Just a note to Commando64, I really did try to fit your character in but because he is a Gerudo by birth, he wouldn't fit in with the Kokiris because 1) he'd have normal ears and 2) he wouldn't have a fairy and Link and O-chan are supposed to be the only ones without them. I think it was very sweet of you to create a character that had a crush on O-chan but I couldn't put him in. Maybe if I do a sequel he can go in there.
To everyone else who reviewed, thank you very much. I really appreciate them. Until chapter 3 (which shouldn't take a month to write ^-^; )!
O-chan lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was having trouble sleeping. Whilst the Kokiris slept, the forest was very much alive and she could hear every living thing. This was something she had never experienced before but she put it down to the fact that she did not have large, pointed ears before.
She raised a hand to touch them as she thought about it. They felt very strange and she couldn't help feeling slightly ridiculous. She had not noticed them straight away, when she had first caught sight of herself in the pond.
She shuddered as she remembered her reflection. It had been such a shock, seeing herself with the face of an eleven year old. Okay, so she should have expected it but what had made it such a blow was the fact that her mind was still fifteen.
Rolling over, she pulled the itchy sheet about her, trying to keep out the chilly breeze that was blowing through the doorway. Her gaze fell on the ocarina lying on the tree stump table beside her boots. No, it wasn't Saria's ocarina but hers. According to Link, she was able to play the ocarina just as well as Saria. At least, that is what he thought until she attempted to play it.
SCREECH!
Link covered his ears and Saria winced. Ima had dived behind Saria's hair in an attempt to escape the terrible sound. O-chan lowered the ocarina apologetically.
"Sorry."
O-chan grimaced as she remembered. It wasn't her fault. She had never had much luck when it came to playing music. She had no talent for music; she couldn't even read it very well.
She fetched the ocarina and sat down on her bed cross-legged, running her fingers along it. The wood was smooth and soft and was, strangely, white in colour. It caught the moonlight and gave off a rather eerie glow. Slowly, she raised it to her lips and played a single note. It didn't sound half bad so she played another. Still doing well she played a third and then a fourth. As she did so, she tried to match the sounds to those produced by pressing the buttons on the control pad.
This is 'A', I think so this would be Up and Down, Left and Right.
She tested her theory by attempting Zelda's lullaby. It didn't sound perfect but it was almost recognisable. Lying back on her pillow, she played random notes over and over, trying to memorise which was which.
The sounds of the forest began to grow distant and soon died away as she fell asleep, the ocarina resting beside her.
A rustle of leaves could be heard in the Great Deku Tree's clearing as something slithered through the forest. A sinister laugh could be heard faintly, carried on the wind yet no one was awake to hear it. No one could hear it but the Great Deku Tree himself. He could sense the evil creature approaching and even through the darkness he could see its black armour and piercing yellow eye.
"Who are you?!" he demanded. "You are one of evil spirit and I will not allow such a thing to enter this forest. Be gone!"
The creature did not leave. Instead, it let out another soft yet sinister laugh before lunging at the defenceless trunk of the Great Deku Tree.
"Heh heh heh," it murmured. "A tree cannot move. A poor being it is."
It sank its pincers into the sacred bark of the Forest Guardian and began to burrow through, deep into its heart. The Great Deku Tree could do nothing but feel the excruciating pain as the creature and the curse that it carried buried itself deep within him. He let out a soft groan of pain.
From the leaves of the top most branches, two fairies emerged, one pale blue in colour and the other a pallid yellow.
"Great Deku Tree? Great Deku Tree, hold on!"
Another small groan escaped the Great Deku Tree. The two fairies flitted down to him.
"Please Great Deku Tree! Please hold on!"
"Navi, isn't it? And Iku..?" he asked hoarsely. "Listen to my words, the words of the Deku Tree... Dost thou sense it? The climate of evil descending upon this realm...
Malevolent forces even now are mustering to attack our land of Hyrule...For so long, the Kokiri Forest, the source of life, has stood as a barrier, deterring outsiders and maintaining the order of the world...But...before this tremendous evil power, even my power is as nothing... Just now, a creature of evil entered inside me. I am losing my freedom."
"Great Deku Tree, what must we do?!"
"It seems the time has come for the boy and girl without a fairy to begin their journey...The youths whose destiny it is to lead Hyrule to the path of justice and truth...Navi, Iku...go now! Find our young friends and guide them to me...I do not have much time left. Fly, Navi, fly, Iku! The fate of the forest, nay, the world, depends upon thee!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The barren wasteland stretched as far as the eye could see. They stood there, encircled by mist as they watched the man of evil sitting astride his demon steed raise his hand, concentrating darkness in his fingers. Once more they were paralysed by fear but this time they knew what was to come.
A malicious grin crossed the man's face as he directed the evil force towards them. Distantly, they could hear voices. Small, tinkling voices yet they seemed anxious.
"You must hurry! Hurry! You must come! Come on! Come on..."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"...Come on! Wake up!"
A smack in the side of the head caused O-chan to fall out of bed. The thump made on contact with the floor was not painful but enough to jolt her out of her dream.
"Huh? Wha? What's going on?" she said sleepily, searching blearily for the source of the voice. "Who's there? Where are you?"
"I'm up here!" the strange voice declared.
She took a moment to sit up and rub her eyes before looking up. It was a fairy, illuminating the ceiling of her house with a pale yellowish glow. She frowned and rubbed her eyes.
"Who are you?"
The fairy's aura grew brighter, showing it was annoyed, and showered a trail of golden glitter onto her head.
"Well! That's not very polite! I don't think this is the attitude of someone who has been summoned to the Great Deku Tree's presence."
At the fairy's words O-chan found herself to be fully away.
"The Great Deku Tree summoned me?! But that means...Oh no! What's wrong with him! Don't tell me he's been attacked already!" She started to her feet, looking frantically up at the fairy. "Please tell me he's okay. Please!"
"Hey, hey hey! Calm down O-chan!" the fairy said; flying just out of reach as she was worried the girl might do something stupid.
"CALM?! How can I be calm?! The Deku Tree's in trouble and - wait, how did you know my name?"
The fairy jingled. O-chan suspected she was laughing at her.
"Everyone knows your name! We all know about the girl and boy who don't have fairies!"
Oh! So she was well-known even by the fairies of the forest. That was just great.
"It's not my fault I don't have a fairy," she grumbled. "That's just how the game works but I will get one."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing," she said hastily. She glanced up at the yellow orb hovering close to the door. "Have you come to be my fairy?"
"Something like that."
"Really?! Oh wow!"
Now she knew what Link must feel like in the game when he gets Navi. As she thought of this, she took a moment to study the fairy.
"You don't look like Navi. Your colour is all wrong."
Once more, the aura around the fairy glowed brightly.
"Why should I look like Navi?!" she huffed angrily. "My name is Iku! Navi has gone to find Link!"
"So Link's got a fairy as well now?"
"Yes and both of you have been called to the Great Deku Tree's clearing. So get a move on!"
The fairy was still grumbling as she flew out the door. O-chan clumsily pulled on her boots and followed her, taking her time on the ladder.
It was morning now and the Kokiri tribe were all up and busy at work. From where she stood she could see the Know-It-All brothers toiling hard. One was trying to pull up the grass, another clearing the rocks outside Mido's house and the last was practicing chopping non-existent objects with an imaginary sword. Several of the female Kokiris were strolling about, carrying things or just standing and watching.
The scene was the one she had seen many a time. It was just like it was when Link first leaves his house and is greeted by Saria. And speaking of Saria:
"O-chan! O-chan! It's wonderful! Link has a fairy! Such a pretty little blue creature named Navi!"
The green-haired girl halted in front of her, smiling. Link arrived shortly after, followed by Navi, and was grinning from ear to ear. He looked very pleased.
"O-chan, this is Navi. Navi, O-chan."
The blue fairy bobbed in greeting.
"Good day O-chan."
O-chan smiled.
"Hello Navi."
"Ah, big deal. She has her own fairy too you know," a small voice chimed from above them.
Iku flitted down and circled O-chan's head. Saria clapped her hands with joy.
"Oh this is fantastic. I'm so happy for you O-chan! Your very own fairy!"
O-chan beamed and Iku landed on her shoulder.
"She's great, isn't she?" she said, causing the fairy's aura to tinge slightly with pink. Then she turned to Link. "Have you been summoned to the Great Deku Tree as well?"
Link nodded.
"Really? The Great Deku Tree summoned you?" Saria gasped. They both nodded. "This is such an honour! Oh wow! Oh, dear, I'm holding you up! Go on! Go! Go!"
Link grabbed O-chan's arm and tugged her towards the clearing where the Deku Tree resided. She protested because his grip hurt but he did not hear. He dragged her over the stepping stones. This time she managed to make it across safely. Link continued to drag her, following the two glowing fairies.
"Nearly there. Come, on, keep up!" Iku called.
"We're coming!" O-chan shouted. She wasn't sure she liked Iku, she was way too bossy.
The entrance came into sight and both of them smiled.
"Great! We're almost there!" Link grinned.
"Yeah!" O-chan beamed back and then her face fell as she saw the figure standing in the way.
"Outta the way Mido!" Link barked, halting before the opposing Kokiri and causing O-chan to crash into him.
Mido dusted his nails on his shirt and studied them.
"Lemme think about it for a second. Hmm...no. You're not getting past."
"But the Great Deku Tree summoned us!" Link yelled angrily. "Right O- chan?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Yes he did. Move it Mido!"
"The Great Deku Tree summoned YOU?! Mr and Mrs No-fairy? I think not!" Mido sneered back, smirking as he crossed his arms.
"We do have fairies Mr Know-It-All! Look!"
Link snatched Navi from the air, causing her to squeal slightly.
"See. A fairy. O-chan's got one too! Let us past!"
"Fairies actually came to you two?" Mido was shocked for a minute and then he scoffed and shook his head. "So what? You're still freaks. Why would the Great Deku Tree summon you and not the great Mido, chief of the Kokiri?"
"Probably because your over-sized head won't fit through the entrance to the clearing," O-chan muttered.
"What did you say?!" Mido demanded, narrowing his beady eyes.
"I said you had a big head now move aside!"
"No! Not after that insult!"
Iku grew bright and shot forward into Mido's face.
"Listen you! The Great Deku Tree has ordered for Link and O-chan to go to him! You are delaying something that is extremely important and if you don't move then you'll be the one with the guilt of the forest dying!!! What do you say to that?! Huh?! Won't be so great then, will ya?! You'll be Mido the Meanie!! Mido the Murderer!! Now move!!"
Mido gaped like a fish as the fairy shouted.
"Mur-murderer? Me? N-no, I can't have that," he spluttered.
"Then why are you still standing there?!"
"W-well," Mido drew himself up to his full height and cleared his throat. "I'm not letting them past without the proper weaponry. Neither of them even have a sword or a shield. Come back with those and then you can go past but until then you ain't going nowhere."
"That's so unfair!" Link cried. "Where are we gonna find stuff like that?!"
"That's your problem. Until you do, you aren't getting past."
"Why you dirty, little -"
"Link it's okay," O-chan said, pulling him back. "We'll do what you want. We'll be back in no time." She stuck her tongue out at Mido and then towed the grumbling Link away.
"That jerk!" Link shouted when they were a fair distance away. "That selfish pig! Does he really think he is better than us?! What gives him the right to tell us what to do?!"
"Nothing but we won't get to the Deku Tree by complaining about Mido. It's quicker just to fetch what he demanded. Besides," she grinned, "I wanna see the look on his face when we show up armed for battle."
"But where are we gonna find all that stuff? I don't have a sword or a shield and neither do you."
"Do you have forty rupees?"
"I think so. Yeah."
"Fetch them and meet me outside the shop."
Link nodded and went off to his tree house whilst O-chan began to hunt around for rupees in the grass, on the pillars and under rocks.
People hide money in the weirdest places, she thought as she stuffed another green rupee into her pouch. Very weird.
O-chan and Link emerged from the Kokiri shop sometime later, both examining their brand new deku shields.
"I didn't know they stocked them," Link said, running his hand over the smooth wood. "Great craftsmanship though."
"Mmm. Must have just got them in," O-chan suggested, slinging hers over her back.
As Link did the same he said:
"Okay, so we got the shields but what about swords? I haven't seen any of those around."
O-chan winked.
"Follow me."
She led him across the village, managing the pond without any trouble at all now, having had so much practice whilst hunting for money. Together they climbed over the fences, towards the Know-It-All brother fighting with the invisible blade. O-chan crouched down, pulled the grass aside and smiled at Link.
"See, there's a gap."
"So?"
"So, we have to go through here."
Getting down on her hands and knees she carefully crept into the passage. Being trapped in an eleven-year-old Kokiri body certainly had its advantages. There was no way she'd have fitted through here in her normal one. Iku flew ahead, lighting the way.
"This passage is a lot longer than I remember," O-chan muttered as she pulled herself forwards.
"What was that?" Link's muffled voice called back from behind her.
"Doesn't matter!"
O-chan crawled a few more feet and came out into the hidden cavern. She got up and moved to the side where she waited until Link eventually emerged.
"Okay, now what?" he asked, dusting himself down.
"We get the swords of course."
"Where from?"
"They're just around there," she said, pointing. "But we have to wait for the - Link! No!"
Link had just run around the corner. There was a thud and a yelp of pain as the rock sent him flying before rolling off again.
"Link? Link, are you okay?"
"Ow..." came the reply.
"If you had just waited," O-chan tutted, pulling him up and out of the way of the rocks path.
"How was I supposed to know it was there?" he grumbled.
O-chan rolled her eyes. The two waited for the rock to go past again and then followed it round. As they turned a second corner, they saw a small alcove and quickly ducked inside. The rock thundered behind past them.
"Hey, that was easy," Link smiled.
Then his eyes fell on the large wooden chest. They widened.
"Wow! A treasure chest! What's in it?"
"Why don't you open it?"
Link smiled sheepishly and attempted to lift the lid. He struggled for quite a while but eventually he managed to shift it upwards and open, with a bit of effort. A strange glow emanated from within as he leant forwards and snatched the contents from the bottom. He straightened up.
"Well?" O-chan enquired.
He turned, grinning from ear to ear. In his hands were two matching swords, both about the length of a Kokiri's arm with a smooth handle that fitted into their hands easily. O-chan couldn't help grinning too as Link handed one to her. Both admired them for a few minutes. Link then did a couple of swipes, slicing the grass into pieces before they sheathed them behind the shields.
"Are we ready then?" Link asked.
O-chan nodded. They were ready. There was nothing Mido could do to stop them getting to the Deku Tree now. Nothing.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lady-obsessed: I'm sorry! I know it's been a month since I began this story but I really needed to get some work done on Opposites Attract plus I was lazy and had minor writer's block. Again, I'm sorry but it's here now! I hope you liked it.
Just a note to Commando64, I really did try to fit your character in but because he is a Gerudo by birth, he wouldn't fit in with the Kokiris because 1) he'd have normal ears and 2) he wouldn't have a fairy and Link and O-chan are supposed to be the only ones without them. I think it was very sweet of you to create a character that had a crush on O-chan but I couldn't put him in. Maybe if I do a sequel he can go in there.
To everyone else who reviewed, thank you very much. I really appreciate them. Until chapter 3 (which shouldn't take a month to write ^-^; )!