A/N: Thank you to Miss Piratess and zeldaisthebest, my most loyal readers! I really appreciate it! Anni, what happened to you? Are you alive????
Cassandra and Lute made their way through Hyrule Castle Town, trying to weave through the jostling crowds. Finally, they reached the drawbridge and crossed quickly, for nightfall was near and if they didn't they'd end up trapped there till morning.
Once they were in Hyrule Field and could hear each other again, Cassandra asked, "Why are you doing this?"
Lute was confused. "Doing what?"
"This! Slaying Aranel!" she cried.
"Oh," the prince said feebly. "To marry Zelda."
"I know that! But what's the point? Zelda's an airhead and you know it! Why do you want to marry her so badly?" Cassandra demanded.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because I do."
Lute looked at her. In the setting sun, her hair had turned blood-red, and her dark green eyes were on fire.
"Well, it's sort of a long story," Lute replied.
"We have a long walk," she retorted.
They crossed the bridge over the Zora's River. "Well, it's not really about Zelda. You see, ever since I was a kid, I've been messing up important things. An ambassador would come; I'd mess up the meetings. My dadwould tryto make a proclamation and I'd defy it. Never on purpose. It just ... happened. Just last week, my dad was having a treaty signing with a kingdom, and I went to leave the throne room, and the floor-to-ceiling window curtain caught on my boot. The whole curtain dropped on the ambassador's head."
"So, you think that by marrying Zelda and defeating Aranel, you'll prove that you can do something right?" Cassandra summarized.
"Yeah," Lute nodded forlornly.
"I know how that feels," Cassandra said.
They started up the stairs to Kakariko Village in silence.
As soon as they stepped foot in the town, a Cucco landed on Lute's head. He began running around, shouting at Cassandra to get it off. Finally, they shook it loose and the Cucco descended to the ground gracefully. However, it continued to stare at Lute.
"Are you gloating?" the bewildered prince asked. "You dare to gloat at me, you stupid animal?!" Offended, he kicked it. Hard.
The Cucco staggered off and gave a cry. In seconds, Cassandra and Lute heard a rustling of wings and clucking. Slowly, they turned – to see a huge group of Cuccos flying right at them.
"I've seen this before!" Cassandra screamed. "They won't leave you alone until you're dead! Run!"
They shot up the hills of Kakariko, Cuccos pecking at them all the way. Finally, they were through the gates and heading up Death Mountain Trail.
They stopped running after a bit to catch their breath.
"That was too close," Cassandra gasped.
"Agreed," Lute wheezed.
When they were able to talk again, they started up the path to the summit.
"So, how many people have tried to defeat Aranel?" Lute asked.
"Too many," Cassandra replied. "I went with the last two."
Lute eyebrows shot up. "Really? What happened?"
"Well, the first one was a knight from Calatia, and when we got in there, he commanded me to stay outside, and he went in. There was a blast of fire, and – well, he didn't come back out. They gave them fire-proof armor afterwards."
Lute swallowed hard. "And the second?"
"He was a Hylian knight, and when we got there, he made me stay outside, too. Why do they do that? Don't they realize I'm a sorceress?" the girl asked, annoyed.
"I'll let you come with me," Lute said quickly. "But the Hylian knight?"
"Oh, well, he went in, there was a blast of fire and he ran out screaming 'Dragon!' Didn't see him again. No one knows where he went," she said.
"And where's my fire-proof armor?" Lute demanded.
"He took it with him," Cassandra shrugged.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Lute cried sarcastically. "What if the dragon decides to roast me?"
Cassandra looked upset at the thought. "We won't let him."
Suddenly, there was a hooting noise and a flapping sound above their heads. They looked up to see a giant owl descending on the rock face a little higher up.
"Oh, no," Cassandra breathed.
"What is it?" whispered Lute.
Cassandra buried her face in her hands. "It's Kae – "
She was cut off as the owl gave a tremendous hoot and began speaking. "I'm Kaepora Gaebora, and I will help you on your quest."
"It's too late!" Cassandra squeaked. "He's already started."
"Started?" Lute asked. "Started what?"
"Talking!"
"Where are you going?" Kaepora asked.
"To fight Aranel," Lute replied.
"Ah, the dragon! I can tell you all about dragons!"
Cassandra sighed and sat down on the path. "Great going. Now we'll be here days."
An hour later, Lute and Cassandra were staring blankly at the owl, who had just shut his beak.
"And that's how you can defeat a dragon. Did you get all that?" he asked.
"Yes!" Cassandra cried.
"No," Lute muttered at the same time.
"You didn't?" Kaepora asked. "Well, in that case..."
He launched into another explanation.
"Look what you did!" Cassandra said, her voice on the verge of a pained scream. "He's at it again!" She slapped Lute on the arm hard, then pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in them.
Another hour passed, and Lute nudged Cassandra awake.
"Is he gone?" she asked blearily.
"Unfortunately, no," Lute replied, looking up at the giant owl.
"And that's how you can defeat a dragon," he repeated. "Did you get all that?"
"Yes!" they called simultaneously.
"Would you like me to take you to the summit?" Keapora asked.
Lute and Cassandra looked at each other, astonished. The bird was actually suggesting something helpful. "Sure!" they chorused.
"Very well," Kaepora nodded. He clasped a talon around each of them and ascended.
"Oh, goodness, we're high!" Cassandra exclaimed. "But at least we'll get there faster. Sorry for hitting you," she said.
"Heck, who cares?" Lute shrugged.
Kaepora hooted loudly.