Chapter 4: The Goron's Ruby
Link arrived outside the forest, and looked around. "This is an enormous place, Navi," Link said. "It was nice of that man to give us the ride to here, but now what do we do?"
"I don't know, Link," Navi said, thinking.
"I wish there was some sort of horse nearby." Link took out his ocarina and began to play it for a moment. He then blinked when he saw something coming his way. He kept playing his ocarina; soon discovering that what was coming closer to them was a horse.
Navi's eyes widened when she saw the horse on its way to them. "Wow, Link! Look at that! Maybe wishing does work!"
"I don't think so…I think its just coincidence."
"Link, remember, nothing is coincidence, everything happens for a reason."
"Sure it does…" Link said sarcastically. He didn't believe that, not yet anyway. The horse soon reached him and he smiled. "Hey, horsy, can you take us to Death Mountain?" she asked the horse, then climbed onto it. He ordered the horse to go, and kicked at its sides. The horse quickly ran forward, dashing towards Death Mountain.
Meanwhile, at a small ranch in the center of the Hyrule Plain, a small girl walked around, calling a name. "Epona!" the girl called. "Epona! Where could that horse be?" The girl was pretty young, probably about the same age as Link. She had long red hair, and blue eyes. She wore a cream colored dress that had small designs on the edges of it. She had a bucket of milk in one hand, and her other hand was held up to her mouth. "Epona!"
Meanwhile, Link continued to race towards the mountains on his horse. "Wow, you're one fast horse!" The horse quickly rode into Kakariko Village and straight to the Death Mountain path. It quickly jumped over the gate that blocked the village from the mountain and the guard watched in awe.
After a moment, Link and his horse both began to climb the pathway up the mountain. It was a dangerous path, though, because at this very moment, Death Mountain was erupting. "The mountain…it's…it's…shaking!" Link shouted.
"The mountain is erupting!" Navi shouted. "We have to move, quickly! If we get hit by lava or by some of those rocks, we're in deep trouble!" Link rode forward on his horse. He was eager to get to where he needed to go. "Link! Look! There's a cave! We can take shelter there until the lava passes!"
"Navi, it's an active volcano! The lava isn't going to stop, not for a long time!" Link responded quickly.
"Well, it would at least let your body rest! If we stay out here too long, we'll die from heat exhaustion!" The horse neighed, as if in agreement. The horse quickly began to pull against Link and go to the cave. Link soon gave up and allowed the horse to take him to the cave. Once he was inside, he realized that he was in just the place he needed to be.
The cave was large and elegant. Beautiful paintings of strange creatures were all across the walls. All the creatures in the paintings were big, fat beasts that had rocks on their backs. Many of the paintings seemed to be of them celebrating with, what seemed to be, rocks as the main course.
The cave was enormous, and was at least four levels high. Link was on the highest level, and in the center, suspended by four large ropes, was a platform. Upon the platform was a pedestal, and on that pedestal was the carving of the symbol of fire. Link slowly walked across the rope and made his way to the pedestal.
"Hello!" a voice suddenly spoke. It scared Link, making him jump back, almost falling off. In front of him was a creature exactly like those in the paintings on the walls. "Did you come to taste the red rock?" the beast said. "I came all the way up here to taste it. I figured 'I'll just give it one lick, no one will notice.' But, by the time I got here, the red rock was gone. I believe Brother Darunia took it."
Link blinked. "Red rock?" "Darunia?" and "What are you?" were only some of the questions that came from his mouth. Link was so overwhelmed with questions that his brain started to hurt from thinking too much.
"I am from the race of the Gorons, a proud rock eating race. The red rock, the Goron's Ruby, the Spiritual Stone of Fire, is our most prized possession. I have heard from many other gorons that it tastes very sweet, and I wanted to taste it for myself, but it was gone. I believe Brother Darunia, our leader, took it and is now in his chambers, awaiting the messenger from the royal family."
"Where are Darunia's chambers?" Link asked.
"Down on the bottom floor. If you go down there, you'll see a big door with a rug in front of it. That's the door to his quarters. I warn you, though. Ever since the dodongo's cavern was closed up, he has been in a fowl mood. Our children are hungry, and we have no food to give them. It's all the fault of that dragon who lives there."
"Dragon?" Link blinked.
"Bah, I have spoken too much. If you wish to get more information, go see Brother Darunia. Even I am at my limits when it comes to knowledge about the goron life." Link nodded and carefully walked back across the rope. He explored the level he was on until he found a cavern entrance that had stairs going down. Link followed those stairs, finding himself on the third level.
Link was excited at this moment. He had always wanted to meet the "Historical Gorons" as the Kokiri called them. Not only had he met one of them, but he was going to meet the Goron leader. He couldn't wait, and began raising around, hoping to find another cavern entrance which would take him down another level.
Still he traveled, finally reaching the bottom level of the cave. He walked over to the door with the rug and pulled out his ocarina. "So, they need some proof from the Royal Family, huh?" He began to play the song that he remembered Zelda singing. The door before him opened and he looked up. "Yes! It worked!" He quickly ran in.
"Who are you!" a voice shouted at Link when he entered.
"M-me?" Link stuttered.
"Yes, you! Kid, what's your name!"
"I-I'm L-Link…s-sir…" Link stuttered out.
"Why are you here?"
"To ask for the spiritual stone of fire,"
"Fool!" the voice bellowed. "I shall not give the stone to just anyone! Where is the messenger from the royal family?"
"T-that's me…sir…" Link stuttered once again.
"You! You!" the voice shouted. "A child! What kind of trickery is this! Has my sworn brother, the King, really gone crazy enough to send me a child? What kind of trickery is this? Answer me! Who sent you!"
"P-princess Zelda…sir…"
"The princess sent you? She expects a boy to be a messenger of Hyrule?" the voice laughed.
"She's very confident in me! She expects me to be a great hero!"
"Hero! HA! You, boy, are nothing. You are no hero, and you never will be!"
"Oh yeah? Great words coming from a man who won't even show me his face!"
"You wish to see me?" the voice asked.
"Yes! I do!"
"Fine," the voice spoke. Soon, a goron stepped into view. The goron had a beard, and his hair was in all sorts of directions. "Get out of here, boy!"
"What's your problem!" Link shouted.
"What's my problem! What's my problem!" The goron hit his fist into the wall. "My people are starving because a rock blocks the way into the Dodongo's Cavern! A dragon lives within the cavern, and thus, even if we could move the rock, we still couldn't get in without being eaten! Our young are hungry! They will not eat rocks from any other place other then the Dodongo's Cavern. Worst of all, Death Mountain is erupting, so we cannot climb up it to ask the Great Fairy for guidance! This is only a small portion of our problem! But, this is a goron problem! Go away!"
"I can help you!" Link protested.
"Go away, foolish child! Go back to your home and play with your friends. Allow this dying race to live peacefully in our last few months of life before we all starve to death."
Link growled. "I can help you! What's your name, goron?"
"What's my name? Do you not know me? I am Darunia, chief of the Gorons!"
"Well, Darunia, I am Link, and I have come to aid you."
"Aid me? HA! We need no aid from meer children. Get out of my sight at once!"
"No! I will help you whether you like it or not!"
"Fine! If you wish to try, then go bring me the melody from which plays through that cave." Darunia pointed up to the second floor and to a cavern. "Bring me the melody, and play it for me, and I will allow you to aid me."
"Sounds good enough," Link said and ran off. He quickly took a flight of stairs up to the second floor and then stopped in the cave. He listened to the song that he could hear coming from the entrance. "That song…it sounds familiar…" Link continued to listen, then realized what it was. "That's Saria's Song!" Link shouted. Link began to play along with the music that was coming from the cave.
As Link played the song, the torches of the cave began to light up, and the frowns and cries of hunger from the gorons turned into smiles and shouts of joy. Many began to dance, and even the starving children were happy. Darunia couldn't help but crack a smile, and soon turned and re-entered through his door. His quarters were lit up rather well, and he sat in his chair happily.
Link returned to Darunia's chambers and looked at him. "I have the melody, Darunia."
"Do not fret over it, young one. I heard you playing from afar, and it brought a smile to my face, and the faces of many of the goron here. I shall grant you a chance to aid us. Take this bracelet. It will allow you to pick a bomb flower, and hopefully allow you entrance into the cave. Good luck, brave Link." Darunia handed Link a bracelet, which he put on. The bracelet seemed to change, and shrink to fit his arm. Link then dashed off to try to open the cave.
Link rode his horse up the mountain some more, much like before. Death Mountain had finished erupting for the moment, and soon Link found what he needed. "Ahh, perfect," he said as he hopped off Epona. He walked forward, staring straight at a bomb flower. The bomb flower was an amazing thing. It looked like a bomb, but it had petals, almost like a flower. He grabbed it and looked forward, seeing a huge rock blocking the way.
Link picked up the bomb flower, and its fuse lit almost immediately. He tossed the bomb flower forward, and, when it hit the rock, the bomb flower exploded. The top half of the rock blew off and Link smiled. "I've almost got it." He looked down at where he had just grabbed the bomb flower from. Another bomb flower had grown in its place. It didn't take them long to grow back, which Link was happy about. He picked it up and tossed it, and, when it hit the remaining rock, the rock exploded.
"Yes! I did it!" Link shouted. "All right, now if I remember right, Darunia said there was a…" he gulped, "…Dragon…in that…cave…" Link took a deep breath, and he climbed down to the cave. He walked in and looked around, the way forward was blocked by a large wall. Link sighed and swore under his breath. "I was so close…I got so far, but there's nothing even here…I don't understand…" The ground then began to crack under his feet and he looked down. The ground under his feet crumbled and Link screamed as he fell.
Link landed on the ground below. He was in pain from the fall, but he stood up carefully. He looked around, finding himself in a room filled with lava. He then heard a roar and turned around. "What the heck!" he shouted.
"Lizalfos!" Navi shouted.
"What have you been!" Link shouted at her.
"Under your hat…those gorons were scary…" Link rolled his eyes. "What!"
"You can handle monsters, but when we get to the gorons, you're afraid…"
"Well…yeah…umm…"
"Never mind! Just tell me how to beat this beast!"
"Right, Lizalfos…umm…" The Lizalfos gave a roar and swung his sword at them. Link quickly dodged and pulled out his sword. Navi examined the Lizalfos more, still unsure what his weakness was. Behind Link appeared another Lizalfos, and it roared as well. Link turned to see it, and his sword swung across the beast's chest, making it roar in pain.
"Never mind! They can be hurt normally!" Link shouted at Navi, then struck a heroic pose. He then swung his sword at the Lizalfos, making it roar again. The other Lizalfos quickly ran forward, swinging his sword.
"Link!" Navi shouted. Link twisted around in time to block the attack with his sword. He then stabbed the beast, and it roared, collapsing to the ground, dead.
"One down, one to go." Link turned to the other Lizalfos and its eyes went wide. Link ran at him and swung his sword, slaying the beast. "Well, that takes care of that…" Link looked around. He had no idea where he was, but wherever he was, he knew he still had to be in the Dodongo's Cavern. He continued walking through the cave, the lava lit the cavern rather well.
"Link…I'm scared…let's go back…" Navi said, shaking.
"Nonsense, Navi. We'll be fine. Remember, if I want to get the Spiritual Stone of Fire, I have to kill the Dragon in here. Surely he can't be that far from here." Link didn't know how right he was. In the very next room, he felt the ground cracking again. He looked down, too late. The ground crumbled and he fell again. He let out a scream as he fell, landing upon the ground.
"Link! Are you okay!" Navi shouted.
"No…I landed on my back…" Link spoke, rubbing his back.
"Umm…Link…"
"What!" Link shouted.
"Big…scary…monster…"
"Navi, stop kidding around." He rubbed his back, then laid back onto his back to let his back rest. He closed his eyes, then his eyes shot open as he saw a huge monster's head right above him. He screamed and quickly stood up. The monster let out a roar. It was him, the Dragon, King Dodongo.
"I told you!" Navi shouted.
"I should have listened!" Link shouted and quickly began to run. The monster roared again, showing its sharp teeth. The beast had rock-like skin, and had a long tail. The beast was huge, almost like a lizard made out of rock. It had a huge, very sharp horn on his head. The beast breathed in and his stomach expanded greatly. He then breathed out, breathing fire out of his mouth at Link. "It breaths fire, too!" he shouted, running even faster now.
King Dodongo roared and rolled into a ball. It rolled straight at Link. Link tripped and fell, quickly curling into a ball. King Dodongo rolled right passed him, then smashed into a nearby wall. "Gosh, he's dumb!" Navi immediately lit up.
"Link! That's it! King Dodongo is all brawn and no brain!" Link's eyes went wide.
"Of course!" he shouted. He looked around, quickly. "Bomb flower…have to find a bomb flower…"Almost like a miracle, he saw one. "There!" King Dodongo then appeared behind him, and Link felt his breath on him. "He's…right behind me…isn't he?" Link slowly turned around and King Dodongo roared. Link screamed and ran forward quickly. He reached the bomb flower and pulled it from it's place.
"King Dodongo! Come get me!" Link shouted. The bomb flower lit and King Dodongo began to quickly charge at him. Link quickly threw the bomb into the beasts mouth. "Eat this!" he shouted as the bomb flower landed in his mouth. King Dodongo swallowed it, then his stomach exploded. He roared and collapsed to the ground. "Yes!" Link shouted.
King Dodongo was defeated, and Link smiled. He quickly ran to the gorons to tell them. "You did it!" Darunia shouted, slapping Link on the back, rather hard. Link fell forward, holding his back in pain. Darunia laughed. "Everyone, let's go to the Dodongo's Cavern! We shall see if Link has truly completed his task!" The gorons gathered up and began their trip to the Dodongo's Cavern, Darunia held the Goron's Ruby in his hand.
When the gorons reached the cave, they noticed the rock was gone and they smiled. They continued walking, entering the cave. They went in and smashed down a wall they had made to keep the dragon inside. They noticed the crumbled floor where Link had fallen upon entry, just like he had said. They went deeper into the cave, soon reaching the second floor, where the two lizalfos laid dead.
So far Link's story held true, and the gorons continued their trip. They continued on, soon reaching where Link and King Dodongo had battled. Darunia smiled as he saw the dead body of the Dragon lying in front of them. "Let us rejoice! The dragon has been destroyed, and finally we may eat!" Darunia and the gorons danced for a while. Link joined in by playing his ocarina and playing the song Saria had taught him long ago.
"Link…" Saria spoke as she sat on a stump in the lost woods.
"Yes, Saria?" Link asked, standing next to her.
"This place…it's going to be important to us in the future sometime…I can almost guarantee it…I also feel like you're going to be leaving soon…"
"I'll never leave you, Saria," Link said, smiling. Saria smiled and began to play her ocarina. After a moment, she put her ocarina in her lap and looked at Link.
"Link, I want you to remember me when you play this song, okay?" Saria asked.
"I will, Saria. I'll play it every night before I go to sleep, and whenever I wake up. Afterwards, I'll be right there, waiting for you to come out of your house so we can enjoy the day together." Saria nodded and played her ocarina again. Link joined in, playing along with her.
Link remembered that moment when he played the song for the gorons. It was a special song, and he loved it, just like he loved Saria. He stopped playing, his face looked sad. "What's wrong, Link?" Darunia asked.
"Nothing…it's just…I miss her…"
"Who?"
"Saria…"
"Got yourself a girlfriend, huh?" Darunia smiled, nudging him. Link blushed a bright red. "It's okay. I understand how you feel. Here, take the Spiritual Stone of Fire, the Goron's Ruby. You earned it by destroying the dragon." Link smiled and took the Goron's Ruby. Darunia took Link and sat him on his shoulders. He then walked to the gorons and smiled. "Brother and sister gorons!" He spoke loudly and everyone looked to him. "From this day forth, Link shall be our sworn brother, and our hero." Everyone cheered.
"Thank you, Darunia…" Link spoke, smiling.
"Link, go now, go see your girlfriend." Link blushed again, then nodded. He hopped onto his horse and quickly rode off to the Kokiri Forest.
The next day, Saria awoke from her sleep, yawning. She laid in her bed, sighing. She missed Link greatly. "Link…" Saria spoke, closing her eyes again. Her eyes shot open when she heard someone playing the song that she taught only to her closest friends. She sat up and looked outside to see who was playing and her face lighted up. There he as, Link, her boyfriend. He was standing there, the ocarina in his hands as he played Saria's song. She giggled and Link opened his eyes.
"I told you I'd be standing here waiting for you," Link said, smiling.
"Oh, Link," Saria ran forward and hugged him, immediately kissing him. Link was caught off guard by this, and Saria realized it, quickly pulling away and blushing. Link smiled and pulled her close again, kissing her long and passionately. Mido, of course, watching with jealousy.
The two pulled away after a moment, and looked each other in the eyes. "I love you, Link," Saria spoke sweetly.
"I love you, too, Saria," Link said, smiling. The two kissed again and Mido growled. He tossed a rock at Link, but it missed, bounced off a nearby tree, and struck Mido right in the forehead. His eyes swirled as he laid there, a big lump on his head now. Link and Saria both laughed at him and walked off.
They enjoyed a day together once again, and at the end of the day, Link had a sad look on his face. "Link, what's wrong?"
"I have to go, again, Saria…"
"No, you can't go," Saria said, clinging to him. "I don't want to spend another day without you.
"I know, but I'm sorry…I have no choice…"
"Then I'm coming, too!" Saria spoke suddenly.
"What! You can't! If you leave, then you'll die! Kokiri can't leave the forest!"
"You did! I'm coming, too, and you can't stop me." Saria gave him a look and Link sighed.
"Okay…we'll leave tomorrow morning."
"You better not leave without me."
"I won't, Saria, I promise." Link kissed her.
"Okay," Saria smiled and hugged him. The two hugged, and soon, they went back to Link's house, laying down together once again. They loved each other, but little did they know that fate was getting ready to tear them apart, forever.