Caranril: Whoo-hoo! I just love the effect almond roca has on one's blood sugar!
Legolas: May Manwe save us all.
Caranril: Well, I would like to see more reviews, or at least more readers, but thanks to Arctic Wolf 18 and the A.R. (anonymous reviewer). I'm so happy to know that someone luvs moi!
Legolas: Um, actually, they love your story.
The Dark Before The Dawn - Chapter 3: Folklore
A cool cloth pressed against Link's forehead, dabbing at the beads of sweat that were constantly forming. He moaned in discomfort and tried to turn over, only to find that he'd been lying on the edge of a mattress, and he fell off the bed with a resounding thud, tangled in sheets. He sat up quickly, and looked around. The first thing he noticed was a tall person standing on the other side of the bed, holding a bowl and a cloth. The next thing he noticed was that he was naked. He checked again. Well, almost, for he still had his leggings on, but his tunic, boots, and even bandana were missing. He glanced back up at the person.
They were wearing a blue body suit with armour on the forearms and the thighs. The face was covered and the head wrapped in white cloths. The most prominent aspect of this character was the red eye on the front of the body suit.
"Sheik?" Link thought a moment. If this was Sheik, then... "Zelda?"
"I'm afraid I'm not Zelda," came a deep voice, muffled in the face wraps. But the voice sounded almost...female. Link eyed the person again, this time noting that the figure was most decidedly not masculine. She set the bowl and cloth down and unwrapped her head, white hair spilling out, purple eyes focusing on him.
"Impa!" Link was surprised to see the Sheikah woman. After all, she was the Sage of Shadow and was supposed to be the guardian of the Shadow Temple.
"I know what your first question is: what are you doing here? Before I answer that question, I must tell you a story. A legend of folklore that's been passed down amongst only those of the Sheikah who possess the abilities to hold such knowledge. Such power. I have also taught it to my fellow Sages. Just listen."
Link climbed back onto the bed, knowing that whatever she had to say was going to be necessary for him to know.
"I know you have been told of the three goddesses and their creation of this earth, as well as the forming of the Triforce when they departed," she began. "But what you don't know is what happened before..."
As he always did when hearing stories from those who possessed magic, Link found himself in a trance and almost able to see a vision of what the story telling was talking about.
"...before the dawn of life when Din, Nayru, and Farore created Hyrule and the lands around it. The three goddesses had in mind to create and imagine. But there was someone else with the goddesses. A god, essentially, and he went by the name Meltose. But instead of creating life, Meltose sought to destroy it. His malicious ideals did not go unnoticed among the three goddesses, so a great battle ensued, a battle which formed the stars, for they are pieces of flesh from the wounded god and goddesses. Though they cannot die, they will still suffer. Though Meltose was more powerful than any one of them, all three of them were able to overcome their fellow god and seal him away in a large sphere. Around it, they poured all their magic and powers into keeping Meltose there. It was enough to keep him there ten thousand years.
"As a second effort, the three goddesses formed the earth around Meltose' prison, originally planning on it to be a failsafe, but life was formed on the barrier, and the goddesses fueled it, having no desire to extinguish such exquisite creations.
"When they departed, they left the Triforce as another means to protect the life on the earth, for they couldn't bear to see the spirits destroyed. Unfortunately, the Triforce is the essence of the three goddesses, and therefore that is what Meltose hates. He will never again be powerful enough to fight the goddesses, but he can destroy all life on this earth. And he will start with those who bear the markings of the Triforce of their right hands."
Link looked at his right hand, knowing that within it lay the Triforce of Courage. "Jeric mentioned Lord Meltose," he said aloud.
"Who is Jeric?" Impa asked.
"Someone who helped me on my way. A rather creepy sort of guy, if you ask me. Genicca was nice enough, though."
"Hm," was all Impa said. She grabbed something and held it out to Link. "Here are the rest of your clothes. Your boots are by the door. You were having a reaction to the perverted magic in the castle. Whatever houses the dead there isn't friendly to those still living."
Link slipped his tunic back on, noticing that it had been cleaned, and tied the strings on the front. His bandana and boots slipped on easily. He looked to Impa for the rest of his items. She was holding his scabbard and looking at it oddly. She swallowed and handed the belt to him, along with his quiver. He strapped these on before looking at her expectantly.
"There's something I want to give you, Link." Impa pulled a key from under her armour and used it to unlock a big chest. She pulled out a cloth-wrapped object. "This was my mother's, and I've never been much of an archer, so it's rarely been used since then, but I do believe that its partner is your quiver." She held the bow out to him, and Link took it, reveling at the slender wood that was intricately carved with ancient Sheikah symbols. The traditional eye was carved right were his right hand grasped when shooting. He pulled on the string and delighted in the tautness. It had the fresh wood feel and scent that the quiver did.
"Thank you, Impa! This bow is most excellent!"
Impa smiled. "I saw the one you carried, and knowing that someone could have given scrap like that to the Hero of Time made my decision to give you mine."
Link strapped in over his shoulder and felt slightly better about his journey. If only he had a decent sword, then he'd be set. "I have to find Princess Zelda. Can you give me any suggestions about where to look?"
Impa thought a moment. "We are in Kakariko Village right now. I know she is not here. I would just travel to each location on your map and ask around for any news. I can't imagine she's been this quiet for two years."
"Two years? All this has happened in two years?" Link asked incredulously.
"Yes, that was when the castle was attacked. Hardly two years after you defeated Ganondorf." Impa led him to the door. "May the goddesses be with you. And Link?"
He turned expectantly.
"Don't bother looking in the temples. They've been destroyed by the same force that decimated the castle. Think about your reaction to the magic in the castle. It affects those who are specially trained in the magical elements even worse."
Link nodded. "Thank you, Impa. Farore give you courage." He stepped from her door and into the streets of Kakariko Village. It had grown a great deal since he'd last seen it too. It was bustling with people, merchants and vendors lining the street, advertising their products with robust voices.
The way Hyrule Market should be, Link thought. From the looks of things, Hylians had done well in switching locations. He wanted to explore the activities, but right now, he needed to go north-east. To Death Mountain.
The trail to Death Mountain hadn't changed at all, with the exception of a few more bumps in the road. He felt slightly better at this, lightening his step and quickening his pace. The Gorons had always been warm hosts, sometimes a little too warm as they loved to dish out hugs that could liquify rocks.
Link entered into the Goron City, the earthy smell greeting him like an old friend. Speaking of old friends...Link could see Darunia's home from the entrance. He recalled when he had played Zelda's Lullaby at his doorstep, only to find the Big Brother of the Gorons in a dangerously bad mood. Link chuckled and hoped he wouldn't have to run through that experience again.
He traveled down the spiral staircases that threaded the city, greeting those he recognized with a wave. Those he didn't recognize only stared at him in awe, whispering and pointing. He heard several "That's Link!"s encircling him, only making him more cheerful. He didn't mind the attention, but the simple fact that life here went leisurely and contentedly took much of his anxiety away. And, boy, did he have a lot of anxiety.
Instead of the great sculpture that had once stood in front of the shop, there was a statue of three figures: two Gorons and one Hylian. Link looked closely, then stepped back in shock as he recognized his seventeen year old face. The biggest Goron was Darunia, but the smaller one...Link read the inscription. "The Hero of Time; Big Brother; and Link, the Goron Hero." A smile spread across his lips as he remembered the pudgy little Goron who had been named after him. Somehow, in his young years the kid had managed to earn himself the title "hero". Well who was he to argue about a kid being called a hero?
The door to Darunia's home was open, and feeling confident, Link walked right in. He stood in the hallway, looking about, noticing several random holes in the walls. A hunched form sat in front of a fire, making horrible noises that Link later recognized as snoring. He peered at the face of the Goron, noting it to be Darunia with many more wrinkles, and continued around the house.
A quiet noise caught his ear, and too late he turned. A tremendous force rammed into him from the side, sending him flying over Darunia's sleeping form and into the fire. Link yelled and rolled right out, only scorching a few hairs and singeing his already black tunic. He heard a thud, felt a shadow over his head, and rolled out of the way just in time to miss being crushed by a Goron pound. By this time, Darunia was wide awake, and though he looked older, he had by no means lost his fighting spirit.
"Wuh? Wasat? Oh, Link, what's going on?"
"I'm trying to crush this intruder!"
Link's eyes widened as Goron Link balled up and began rolling at a tremendous pace right for him. Calling upon Farore, Link leapt for the banners hanging from the ceiling and managed to catch one, avoiding being crushed. His grip slipped and he fell to the floor, but this time he was ready.
"OH! Link! Is that really you?"
"Oh course it is, Dad!" came Goron Link's voice, muffled from his rolled form.
"No, no, not you, son! It's Link, the one you're named after!"
"WHAT?!" Goron Link unrolled and stared at Link in disbelief. Link sized him up, realizing that he had grown a lot in just four years. He was about as large as Darunia. "Oh, I'm so sorry Link! I thought you were going to rob us or something!" Goron Link took Link's hand and pumped it up and down so hard that Link's teeth chattered. "'Course I didn't think at the time that if you were a thief that you shouldn't have gotten past all the other Gorons!"
"T-that's o-o-kay, Link," Link stuttered, trying to hold his head still.
"We haven't seen you for four years, now!"
"But I've been missing for-"Link cut off, realizing that no one but Zelda and the Sages knew that he had traveled through time. Somehow, even though he had to go back and live those seven years, he came forward and defeated Ganondorf just the same. Which meant that if he had been conscious four years ago, he might have been able to see himself...Link shook his head, trying to clear it of the confusing thoughts. "Never mind."
"So, is there something we can do for you? I'm afraid there's nothing wrong with the Fire Temple...okay maybe there is, but there's nothing you can do about it, because it's been destroyed."
"I know," Link said quickly. "And I don't have very much time. My life, Princess Zelda's life, and the lives on the entire planet are in danger if I don't hurry. I don't have time to explain, sorry."
"I know." Darunia looked at him sadly. "Impa's told us many times the story of Meltose. I have a few things to add, perhaps nothing to do with Meltose, but the information may come in handy. She told this to us, mostly because sometimes all we can do is talk, but Impa said that there used to be another race of Sheikah."
"Another?"
"Yes. The Sheikah, because they use dark magic, had stayed underground and out of sight of surface dwellers. Eventually, it was decided they were to face the world, not necessarily live openly among them, but they could help with trivial problems that were to great for mere mortals. They lived in shadow, but eventually began serving the royal family. They became sworn protectors of the throne, though since then the race has nearly died out, though no one knows why. Now, when the Sheikah decided to join the surface dwellers, there were also those amongst them who refused to go. They remained behind in the underground dwellings, and as far as Impa knows, they haven't survived."
This particular bit of information was quite interesting to Link as he digested it. Underground Sheikah? Jeric and Genicca had given him Sheikah items, and now that he thought about it, the magic in the exit wall that had seemed familiar was Sheikah magic. Could it be they still existed?
"Thank you for your time, Darunia. Link." Link stood, prepared to continue on his way.
"Wait Link!" Goron Link stopped him at the door. "I want you to have this. After all, you did give me your autograph." He grinned at Link as he handed him a sheath. Link took it and pulled out a long knife, glistening red from the rock walls.
"Now, this isn't an ordinary knife. See, when you throw it, it comes back to you, like a boomerang. Like this." Goron Link took the knife and aimed at a water pot. He hurtled the knife with great strength, but completely missed the pot and embedded itself into the wall. A few seconds later, it jerked free and hurtled itself back at Goron Link. Link yelled and ducked as Goron Link missed it. The knife hit the wall, then yanked itself out and came back. The process was repeated four times before Link intervened and caught it himself.
"So that's why there are so many holes in the wall," Link smiled, sheathing the tricky blade.
Goron Link flushed slightly. "I thought it was so cool when I got it, but no matter how much I practice, I can't ever seem to catch it. Goron reflexes just aren't built for something like that."
"I see. Well, thank you, Link."
Goron Link pounded his chest with his fists. "Din lend you strength, Hero!"
"Farore give you courage, Hero," Link taunted, waving farewell to the Goron Hero.
When Link returned to Kakariko, the sun was nearing the horizon and nearly all of the buyers and sellers had packed up and retired to indoors. Link wandered the streets for awhile, marveling at the wondrous changes that had been made. He visited the House of Skultulla, pleased to find that the family hadn't been placed under a curse again. They had been so happy to see him that they fed him dinner and offered a room for the night. Link had turned down the room, deciding that he'd better get a move-on to Zoras' Domain if he wanted to beat the sun.
With an adult's wallet freshly filled with two hundred rupees as a gift from the Skultulla family, Link left the hustle and bustle of Kakariko Village for the dreariness of Hyrule Field. He could smell death on the air, heralding the creatures that enjoyed wandering in the moonlight. He walked quickly, but didn't run, for he needed to spare his strength as much as possible. At the rate he was going, he didn't think he'd last another long day like he'd just been through. Actually, he had gotten quite a bit of rest at Impa's house, for it had been nightfall when he'd left the castle yet was midday when he had awoken.
Link walked along the river, knowing it would be a failsafe if he didn't beat the darkness. None of the dead could stand running water, especially flowing with protective spells out of Zoras' Domain. When a Sage was a Princess of the Zora's there would be nothing to harm her people. Link was hoping Ruto had forgotten him and found a mate of her own race, for the last thing he needed was a romantic entanglement with the throne.
It would be just my luck if- Link froze as he felt a cool blade pressed to his throat. A voice chuckled in his ear.
"What's a handsome man like you doing out here in the dark? Hm, beggin' to be robbed, I suppose..." And with that, the person shoved him into the river and thrust his head underwater and held it there.
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Caranril: (makes to light some fireworks) Yip-
Legolas: Oh no you don'! (hoses down author and pyrotechnics) Aha! take that!
Caranril: ;; Y-you ruined all my fun! Weebeebeebee...(eyes tear up)
Legolas: Quick, before she breaks into song! Please review! If you don't she'll...what was it again?
Caranril: (sings Gollum's Song) These tears we cry Are falling rain For all the lies you told us, The hurt, the blaaaaaaame!
Legolas: Oh right. If you don't, she'll sic Gollum on you.
Gollum: Where is it? Wherrrrre is it?
Legolas: (points to readers) They have it.
Gollum: MY PRECIOUS! (reaches for your neck)