Chap. 7
Night in the Field
Link spent the next hours describing the Temples and all their dangers to the teams. "There are traps around every corner, you can never not be on guard." He said grimly, instructing them like a drill sergeant. He detailed very nuance of the Temples, including the demons that guarded each one. He also gave each team a special weapon that he had used to defeat the demons before. To Robin, he gave the Megaton Hammer, an ancient weapon strong enough to break a mountain, but still small enough to be put onto a belt. Neuron was given the Longshot, a spring loaded chain device, capable of reaching great distances and hooking onto targets. Despite Brett's insistence he didn't need it, he was given the Lens of Truth, a magnifying glass-like device that could see through all magical illusion. Finally, Cyborg received the Mirror Shield, a highly polished shield capable of reflecting all kinds of magical energy. After all weapons were passed out, Link announced it was time to move out, and gave out maps of the area. "Wait a minute," Robin interjected. "why can't you use your ocarina and take us each there yourself?" "I would, but it's not that easy. The melodies I use will take you right to the Temple entrance, and without the right gear, you won't even be able to enter." "Sounds like a cop-out to me." Whimpernel snapped. Link walked right over to the young hero and staring directly into his eyes, said, "Your Temple is inside a live volcano. I'd think immunity to heat would be an important thing, and you can get that from the Gorons." Whimpernel swallowed and said nothing more.
After that, the heroes leapt into the wagons and the Gerudos took them out into Hyrule Field. The Field was a huge landscape, dotted by the purest green grass. Stretching out for miles, it was the most peaceful looking land any of the out-worlders had ever seen. "My God, I can't believe you guys live here." Martin breathed. "The foliage is exquisitely.." "Ha Ha! Foliage." Nelson snickered. The others joined in, as Martin quietly burned. The only one who stayed silent was Gannondorf.
The wagons traveled across the field, reaching the middle near the end of the day. Link leapt out, and motioned for Starfire and Gannondorf. As the two exited the wagon, Link said, "We'll head for the Kokiri Woods, we should be there by morning tomorrow. The rest of you should be able to find places to stay near the other Temples. Head for them in the morning." "Good luck Link." Brett said. "Stay safe Starfire." wished Robin, with a cold look at Gannondorf. Link walked to the wagon, kissed Zelda good-bye, and the group parted ways. As the wagon headed off into the distance, Starfire asked, "Why can we not journey to the woods now?" "With Majora around, it's not safe to travel at night." Link explained. "Hyrule Field is neutral territory, but I'd rather be safe then sorry." "So what will we do?" the young alien asked. "Well, for now, we'll set up camp. Zelda left me a few things, so we should be able to stay here. In the meantime, we need to get some food. You think you'll be safe here alone?" he asked. "Yes, but am I not coming with you?" she asked. "Someone has to stay and guard this spot." Link explained. Then in a whisper, he aid, "Besides, if he has to be left with one of us, I'd rather it be me." "And what makes you think you can stop me any better then she can?" a deep voice inquired from behind them. Turning, Link faced his old foe and spoke. "Because when Zelda and I used our power on you, we made sure you wouldn't try anything else." Gannondorf raised an eyebrow; it was the only response on his impassive face. "The magic is still in you. If you try to do anything to extinguish my Triforce or me, or if you go after the girl, it will burn through your body again." "What makes her so special?" the Gerudo King sneered, giving Starfire a demonic look. "She is an innocent, one of the purest souls I've met. The magic will sense that. If you don't believe me, try to attack her. See what happens."
The Gerudo stood silent for a moment, then asked, "Where do we hunt around here?" Link pointed to the east, saying, "Some wild pigs roam that part of the field." With that said Gannondorf spun on his heels and walked off, his cape whirling around him. Link shook his head and followed. As the two disappeared over the horizon, Starfire wondered what made the Gerudo so hateful of those around him. "Even if Link did imprison him, why does he seem to hate me? He does not even know me." Even on her world, the people did not bear grudges towards those who had done nothing. Well except Blackfire, but that was expected. Shaking her head, Starfire began to gather firewood and build a camp.
Luckily, Starfire had learned much from camping trips with the Titans. By the time Link and Ganondorf returned, a huge pig slung across each of their backs, a roaring fire was going. Thus Starfire was rewarded with a grin from Link, and a cold stare from Gannondorf. They dropped their loads, and Ganondorf walked off, wanting his privacy. For their part, Link and Starfire gave it to him, setting up the spits needed to cook the pigs. Soon the meal was ready, and the two sat down to eat and talk of their past.
"So Nightwing handed me the clock and I returned to the present." Starfire finished, as she bit the last bit of meat off her pig-leg. "Wow, you actually saw the future. You know, I never got to go there, despite all the times I traveled back then." "Oh, you have also traveled through time?" Starfire asked, interested to hear this. Link smiled and replied, "That's why I'm called the Hero of Time. When I was fighting all those years ago, I had to learn how to go back and forth in time. But I never got beyond those seven years I slept. I just went to the start or the end." Pausing, he looked up and muttered, "Sages, all those years ago." At this, Starfire saw her chance to ask something that had been gnawing at her since the separation. "Link, I am curious. In the fortress, Brett said that the Triforce had been broken for sixty years. But that must have been a mistake; that would make you and Zelda…" "Seventy-one, next winter." The Hero guilelessly replied. Star's eyes widened. "But how? You two look my age! What keeps you young?" Link raised up his right hand and pointed to its back. "The Triforce Shards." He answered. "As long as they're in us, we don't age. And since we've never been able to put it back together, they've stayed with us." "Buy why couldn't you…. Oh." Star realized, as she turned and looked at Gannondorf. The Gerudo sat apart from the fire, bathed in the moonlight. He had not moved from that spot since he had returned, refusing to eat. Turning her gaze back to Link, Star asked, "Why is he so stubborn?" "He hates me remember? He'd never accept anything from me, even after all those years without the taste of real food." "What about me?" Star suddenly asked. Link gave no response, so Star continued. "We will need him at full strength, so he needs to eat for our sake, correct?" Link only shook his head and said, "You really are an innocent." Gesturing towards Gannondorf, he said, "You can try, I guess, but it won't make a difference." Starfire nodded, but still grabbed a piece of meat and walked over to the silent Gerudo King.
"Gannondorf?" she asked gently, not wanting to upset. But her reply was a deep, angry, "What do you want?" "I-I brought you some food." "Don't want it. Now leave me." But Starfire would not be so easily deterred. "Please? I know you haven't had food in a long time." Gannondorf coldly said, "What I have had and have not is not your concern. Now get out." But the alien still had one last trick up her sleeve. "Listen to me. We need you at full strength. The only way for you to get that is to eat. Now take it, or else I will burn you worse then Link's magic ever could."
For a moment, there was silence. Then he spoke. "Direct, forceful, slightly rude." Starfire began to think that she was wasting her time, but then he finished by saying, "They would have gone for that right away. No one ever tried the nice route before." Snaking out an arm, he took the meat form Star's hand. Returning to his dark silence, Gannondorf gave no words of thanks, save for the sound of his chewing. Perturbed, but satisfied, star walked back to Link. The Hero wore a slight look of shock, saying, "I didn't think I'd ever see the day where he'd listen to someone like you." Deciding to take this as a compliment, the alien yawned, and motioned that she was going to sleep. "Good idea." Link agreed. Removing his shield, he lay back on the grass, and almost instantly fell asleep. Starfire followed suit, leaving only Gannondorf and the smoldering embers to stand guard.
