Across the Ocean
By Dominus Princeps
A.N. For all purposes of this story, Link is seventeen years old; Medli is also seventeen, Tetra/Zelda is twenty, and the Rito prince is fifteen. By the way, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I've forgotten the Rito prince's name...if anyone could jog my memory I'd appreciate it.
Prologue: Memories
She remembered the first time she met the boy in green. He had entered the ancestral roosting place of her people. She saw him while standing on a balcony and giggled at his dress. What kind of weirdo wears that kind of ridiculous outfit? she wondered. As she watched him, her amusement at his clothing diminished. She could see the determination in his eyes and the strength hidden in his casual stance. But there was something else...she could see the timid fear in his eyes as well. He must be a long way from home...I bet he misses his mother... she thought. She was impressed at how casually the boy talked with the king of the Rito. He told the king that he needed Din's Pearl.
"Din's Pearl?" she hissed aloud, amazed that he would ask for such a thing. It was the treasure of her people! A little kid in green wouldn't just get it for asking! The king told the boy about his son, and then told the boy about the plight of the Rito—Valoo would not allow anyone to take his scales, thus the boy-prince of the Rito could not gain his wings, and then his adulthood. The green-clad boy nodded nonchalantly and took the letter that the king of the Rito gave him. He jogged off to the prince's quarters.
"Perhaps...he's got the courage, I think. Certainly, he has a sword..." she said to herself, watching him go.
ooo
She grinned to herself as she remembered her first real encounter with him. She had waited for him at the exit that led to the path to Dragon Roost. He came up and stopped as she waved to him.
"Hi, my name's Medli. I'm an attendant to Valoo...well, a novice attendant, but still...anyway, Valoo's been acting strange. He hasn't been letting anyone go near him, and his violent pounding and fire-breathing has been doing horrible things to this island. I see you've got a sword...can you please help me? I'm worried for the prince, too...by the way, how did he take that letter?" she knew she was rambling, but there was something about this boy that made her want to talk.
"Hmm? Oh, right. Well, he was a jerk, to be frank. Um...about Valoo..." the boy began. Medli nodded.
"Yes?" she encouraged.
"The boy said...eh, never mind. Let's go. My name's Link," he told her. Medli ran out to the dried spring. The boy in green kept easy pace with her, his lanky strides smooth beside her own stockier form. Medli hopped down into the dried spring and hailed him from where he still stood at the archway above the ruined bridge.
"This used to be a beautiful spring, but once, Valoo plugged it with a rock after a thrashing rage," Medli said sadly. "Anyway, could you throw me? If I get a little wind under my wings, I'm sure I can get up to that ledge."
"Sure. Uh...You want me to throw you?" Link raised an eyebrow as he landed lithely on the ground. Medli nodded sheepishly.
"You look strong enough; I'm pretty light," she scuffed her feet. Link sighed and walked over to her. She crouched, and he lifted her easily. Something in his touch...Medli was so distracted she didn't realize he had thrown her until she saw the rock wall rushing at her. She spread her wings and frantically beat them, barely avoiding smashing into the hard rock.
"Um...thanks, and here, take this. It's not much, but it's all I've got to give you," Medli smiled awkwardly, tossing him a bottle. He caught it and eyed the bottle.
"Thanks. Uh...there isn't any way you can help me up to that ledge, is there?" Link asked. Medli looked around.
"Well...if you can get rid of that big rock, I'm sure the spring will well up again," she pointed. Link looked at her skeptically.
"Get rid of that? Who do you think I am, Din? ...well, thanks, anyway," he sighed. Medli winced; she hadn't meant to disappoint him. She turned and left, but stopped when she heard an explosion.
"Yee haw! Thanks for the bottle, Medli!" she heard his voice carry over the rough wind. Medli grinned and ran into Dragon Roost.
ooo
She remembered when he rescued her for the first time, too. Having been caught by Moblins, Medli sighed. She beat her fists against the wooden bars of her jail, but in vain.
"Oh, I knew I should have stuck around with Link!" she moaned. She looked up when she heard the shouts of Moblins and the sound of swordfighting. Medli stood with excitement when she saw Link battling two Moblins with swords and shields. He defeated them easily, but gaped when a larger Moblin was air-dropped into the arena. The Moblin grinned, lusting for the kill. It/he had a long glaive that looked fatally sharp. Link raised his shield and narrowed his eyes. Medli clasped her hands. She'd never seen anyone fight a Moblin guard and live. Link was clearly afraid of the huge, muscular Moblin, but circled it as if he had fought this kind of beast all his life. The monster wound back and swung its huge glaive at Link. Medli screamed. The blade hit Link's shield square in the center, and the force of the blow sent Link stumbling backward. Encouraged by Link's loss of balance, the Moblin advanced and raised its glaive above its head. It brought the weapon down, about to strike the defenseless Link. Medli put her hands up to her eyes, but peeked through her fingers. As the Moblin swung the glaive down, Link rolled to the side and performed a jumping uppercut slash on the Moblin's wide-open left flank. The monster roared in pain and surprise as blood sprayed through the air. Off-balance and pain-wracked, it reeled backwards. Link took the opening and stabbed it twice, jumped into the air for another uppercut, and then hit the ground with a vicious spin attack. The Moblin fell backwards, dead. In a burst of purple smoke, its evil spirit was dispelled, leaving behind a sparkling Skull Necklace. Panting, Link pocketed the Skull Necklace and put away his sword and shield. The green-clad boy caught his breath and walked over to Medli's wooden prison. He pulled the latch up and let her out.
"Th-thanks, Link. That was some nice sword work..." Medli blushed. Link smiled tiredly.
"I had to hike all the way up this mountain just to save you. And that's all I get?" he grinned. Medli fished in her pack.
"Nope. You can have this grappling hook too, if you want," she replied, smiling. Link held the grappling hook and nodded.
"Cool. Did you figure out what's wrong with Valoo?" he asked.
"Yeah! There's a monster who's bothering the poor thing! I've got faith that you can beat it, but..." Medli trailed off. In truth, she wasn't sure anyone could...what was beneath Valoo was a gigantic, armor-coated lava beetle.
"Alright. I'm on it. You go tell the Rito about it and I'll tackle this monster. Can't be too hard, can it?" Link grinned confidently, wiping sweat off his brow. Medli was captivated by his nonchalant manner, but knew she had to go tell the Rito.
"Right. See you soon!" Medli nodded. She spread her wings and soared down.
ooo
Much later that day, as Medli was impatiently awaiting the decision of the Rito council, Medli heard a hoarse voice.
"Medli!" she whirled to see Link staggering in the aviary. His hair was singed, and he had burns all over his face.
"It's done..." he said tiredly before falling face-flat. Medli caught him and hoisted him over her shoulder. She carried him into the Rito council.
"Well, for all your deliberating, you got nothing done—but Link just freed Valoo," Medli grumbled. The Rito councilmembers blinked before starting their hushed discussion again. Then, the prince entered.
"Are you serious? Valoo isn't..." he began. Medli shook her head excitedly.
"No! He's happy again; I can feel it!" she cheered. Link awoke from where he had been set down in a chair.
"Mmf!" the boy in green stretched. He scratched his head and winced as his arm touched a burn on his face.
"I'd better get back to my boat. The King of Red Lions is probably worried sick," he chuckled, shrugging his shoulders to adjust the position of his sword. Link walked off.
"Without even a thought of reward..." the king of the Rito began. He shook his head.
"Medli! Take my son and send him to that courageous lad! He deserves our greatest treasure!" the king said.
"But, father, that's my-" the boy-prince began.
"I know that. But it is rightfully his! He has saved our people," the king cut his son off. Medli put a comforting hand on the prince's shoulder. She then led him out to the sea, where Link was apparently talking to his boat.
"Um, Link. Thanks for all you've done, and...I think that the prince has something to say," Medli drew Link's attention. Link put his hands on his hips.
"I'm...I'm sorry for how I acted. And...I'd like to give you this," the prince said, shuffling over to Link. He handed Link Din's Pearl.
"Oh, wow! Hey, thanks! Look, King, it's Din's Pearl!" Link cheered. The boat nodded it's head.
"Indeed. Excellent work. Now, bid your friends goodbye; we must be off," the red boat said. Link winced and turned to Medli and the prince.
"Hey, hold on just a second, King? I'd like a little privacy," Link said. He turned to Medli.
"Hey, can we go out to that shrine of the Wind God for just a second?" Link asked. He glanced at the boy-prince and added, "Alone?"
"Sure," Medli nodded eagerly. She waved to her fellow Rito and jogged to catch up to where Link had already begun walking. He swam quickly to the shrine; Medli spread her wings and flew the short distance.
"What's up?" Medli asked. Link grinned shyly at her.
"Well... I just wanted to say goodbye, but...not in front of those guys, you know?" he said. Medli felt color rise to her cheeks. Her feet were suddenly very interesting.
"Um...yeah, I understand," she muttered. Link put a hand on her shoulder.
"And...I also wanted to say that...I don't know you very well, but I like your company, so...I'll swing by here every now and then, okay?" he said slowly. Medli looked up into his eyes. His beautiful, blue eyes...
"O-of course! Yeah, that'll be great! I'll be here; I'll be around!" she stammered. Link nodded.
"O-okay...um...I'd better get back. The King of Red Lions is probably coming around the island right now looking for me, so..." he said. Link dove into the water and swam over to shore. He waved to Medli before running off toward his boat. Medli sighed and glided over to where the prince was watching Link sail off.
"He's an amazing hero, isn't he, Medli?" the prince remarked, admiration in his eyes and voice. Medli nodded.
"Y-yeah, he is..." she said, mind on the green-wearing swordsman.
ooo
She thought about when he had taught her the Earth God's Lyric...she had felt something so deep within her awake. It was frightening and awesome at the same time. He had returned to Dragon Roost Island after a long month or so of sailing around the ocean.
"Medli! Medli!" she heard a voice calling from down below. Medli turned and looked around. She saw Link's green hat bobbing around on the lower balconies of Dragon Roost. Deciding to play hard-to-get, Medli began playing her harp. Link whirled around, looking for the source of the music. Several minutes later, Medli turned to see him swing across a small gap using her grappling hook.
"There you are. I heard your harp, and..." Link smiled.
"You've been away for a long time, Link," Medli said softly.
"Yeah...I've had a lot to do around town, you know," he grinned. Medli craned her neck. His sword...it wasn't the same as before.
"You got a new weapon?" she inquired, curious.
"Yeah. Yeah, this is the Master Sword, not that dinky old Hero's Sword. Although, that blade served me well..." Link nodded, unsheathing the sword.
"Oh, wow! That's the legendary blade of evil's bane, right?" Medli gaped. "Where'd you get that?"
"Uh...I...found it. In...a dungeon of course. Uh...hey, wanna play some music?" Link averted the topic.
"Oh, sure. What do you play?" Medli asked, interested. Link took out a white, decorated baton.
"Hey, that's the Wind Waker! Wow! Will you conduct me?" Medli asked eagerly, admiring the baton. Link nodded.
"Sure. Follow along!" he said. He proceeded to conduct a strangely familiar tune. Medli stared into space as she listened. Suddenly, the world spun around her eyes. She was approached by a strange woman who had both fish features and human features. The woman spoke softly to her and taught her a lilting melody. When Medli awoke, she was cradled in Link's arms.
"Hey...you okay?" Link asked worriedly, searching her eyes for an answer.
"Link...I'm the sage of Earth!" Medli exclaimed.
ooo
Sighing, she remembered when they had fought their way through the Earth Temple. That was probably the most frightening thing she'd ever done. She remembered how dark and dusty the temple was...also, she remembered, in particular, one terrifying event—being caught by a Floormaster. She was docilely following Link as he crept through a room. Suddenly, he ran into a patch of blue-purple mist.
"Crap! Curse-fog!" Link groaned. He was surrounded by a sickly purple aura.
"Oh, no...now you can't use your sword, right?" Medli frowned. Link nodded.
"I'll have to wait for it to dispel," he sighed. "In the meantime, let's keep going. They fought their way through the oppressive fog. It felt like Medli's lungs were being crushed. Link grasped her hand to give her strength. Medli's heart exploded as he gripped her palm.
"Link...it's so hard to go on..." Medli gasped.
"Keep...walking!" Link struggled to reply.
"It feels like something's grabbed hold of me..." she wheezed.
"I know...just keep going!" Link encouraged.
"Link! Something has grabbed me!" Medli screamed. They heard the razor-sharp screech of the purple Floormaster.
"Medli!" Link cried as the thin, black-purple hand tugged on the Rito girl. Link dug his heels in, holding onto Medli's wrist with both hands.
"Link! Can't you get any more traction?" Medli suggested. She was sweating with fright. The Floormaster was slowly reeling her in.
"Hey! I know, my Iron Boots that I got from Ice-Ring Isle!" Link whispered. He willed the Iron Boots to materialize. With the amazing magic embedded in the heavy boots, they appeared on his feet.
"Let-her-go!" Link growled. He turned his back to the Floormaster and began walking, pulling Medli along with him. She cried out as her shoulder dislocated. Link faltered at her cry.
"Keep...keep walking, Link..." Medli sobbed with the pain. Link took four more steps, and the Floormaster let go, seeing no way to get its prey. Link fell forward suddenly after the Floormaster let go. He took off the Iron Boots and laid Medli out. She was still crying from the pain of her dislocated shoulder.
"Alright, Medli. Medli, look at me," Link commanded. She opened her eyes slowly and shuddered.
"It hurts. It really hurts," Medli sobbed. Link nodded.
"Okay, Medli. This is going to be a little painful, okay? Look at me, Medli. Look at me," Link said in a comforting voice. Medli met his gaze and held it. She felt his hands on her arm and winced at the sharp pain. Suddenly, she felt fire throughout her shoulder and then no more pain. At least, no more extreme pain.
"Thanks, Link..." Medli sighed. He stood and extended his hand. Medli gripped it, and he pulled her up. They held hands for just a few seconds longer before letting go.
"Let's get going," Link said.
ooo
Of course, what reminiscence of the Earth Temple would be complete without Link's battle with that giant ghost? she thought, remembering. Link had walked up to the door and turned to her.
"Stay here. It's too dangerous past here," he instructed. Medli sighed and nodded.
"Okay," she allowed. He walked toward the door with the gigantic gold lock on it. She ran and grabbed his shoulder.
"Be careful, Link..." Medli said softly, putting a hand on his cheek. Link put his hand on hers.
"I always am," he grinned. He pulled out the ornate Boss Key and fit it in the lock. Both the key and the lock magically vanished. Link turned back to her and smiled slightly, then unsheathed his sword and mirrored shield. The door opened and shut hard behind him. Medli paced back and forth, pondering each and every fate that could await him through that door. She put her ear to the door, hoping to hear the action on the other side of the door. She heard a muffled cry of pain from the other side of the door and jumped.
"Link's in trouble! But what can I do?" Medli wondered desperately.
"How does he get those damn doors to open?" she pounded on the door with her fists. Medli stepped back, frustrated. OPEN! she screamed in her mind. As simple as could be, the door rose, revealing Link facing down a huge, paunchy ghost. Shocked, Medli stared in awe.
"Medli! What are you doing? It's too dangerous for you here!" Link called.
"I'm here to help!" she yelled back, jostled from her reverie. She ran out into the room; the door shut heavily behind her.
"Now we're both stuck in here!" Link growled, dodging a blow from the ghost.
"Do you know how to fight it?" Medli asked.
"No. It's not material; weapons don't affect it," Link replied.
"Wait—didn't you fight these guys before?" the Rito girl inquired. "They hated light, right?"
"Hey, that's right! ...if I distract it, will you get it with a blast of light from your harp? I think there's a skylight around her somewhere..." Link suggested. Medli nodded and saw what he was referencing. Link kept the ghost's attention while Medli made her way over to the skylight. She pulled her harp off her back and angled it so the beam of light struck the ghost. It wiggled in agony and slammed to the ground, material weight now keeping it down.
"Now what?" Medli shouted.
"Now it's payback time!" Link growled.
"It's too big for your sword to do anything!" Medli called.
"That wasn't my plan!" Link's voice was slightly muffled from the ghost. Medli gaped as the ghost slowly lifted off the ground.
"What in Nayru's name are you doing?" she gasped. Link had a vicious grin on his face as he slowly pivoted to face one of the thorny pillars on the wall.
"Take...this!" Link roared, hurling the ghost at the pillar. It suddenly shattered into a multitude of multi-colored little ghosts that scrambled around all over the place.
"Take this and this and this and this!" Link growled as he slashed his way through the ghosts. Soon, there were none left.
"Thanks for the support, Medli. I probably couldn't have done it without you," Link grinned, clapping an arm around her shoulders. A large heart with a silver border dropped out of nowhere.
"Hey, the Heart Container!" Link cheered. He touched it, and suddenly a healthy color had returned to his skin.
"I'll never understand all the magic in this world..." Medli sighed. Suddenly, she felt something well up in her.
"Link...let's play," she said.
"Um...we've kind of got a job to do," Link raised an eyebrow.
"Music, you dummy!" Medli blinked. Link laughed.
"Oh. Right. Sorry," he blushed, placing the Master Sword in the center of the Triforce design in the room and taking out the Wind Waker. He began conducting, and Medli followed along on her harp. The Master Sword rose into the air. Suddenly, the two bulges on the side of the hilt sprang out into the familiar wing-like handguard shown in all the paintings of the famous sword. Link put the Wind Waker away and took the now fully powered sword. He sheathed it and walked toward the warp.
"Well? Aren't you coming?" Link turned back right before he stepped into the whirlwind.
"Link, I...I have to stay here and continue to pray for the...for the Master Sword," Medli's voice faltered. Link looked away.
"Oh...right. I guess...I guess I'll see you when it's all over, then," Link sighed. He turned back toward the warp. Medli ran up and touched his shoulder.
"Link...before you go, I..." she began. Link turned and put a hand on her waist.
"I'll miss you," he said softly. Medli bit her lip, looked down, then looked up and kissed him. Link's arms encircled her waist and pulled her close to him. Something in his tunic shook and began talking.
"Link! Link, we must be getting on! Now is the time to strike Ganon!" the King of Red Lions' voice spoke through the Gossip Stone. Link broke away from Medli.
"I'm sorry. I'd stay with you forever, but this is something I've gotta do," he said, pushing a stray lock of her red hair behind her ear.
"Link...Link, promise me you'll come back for me," Medli begged, gripping his hand with both of hers. He turned to face her with his signature confident grin.
"There's nothing that can stop me, not when I've got this old piece of junk," he tapped the Master Sword's hilt, "and you behind me."
"Good. I'll see you soon," Medli bowed her head. He walked over to kiss her forehead, then jogged into the whirlwind.
"Bye!" was his last word before he disappeared. Medli knelt to the ground.
"Oh, Goddesses, you who wrought the earth before any walked upon it..." she began.
ooo
And now, he still hadn't come back...she was so worried. She had been in the Earth Temple for a week at least. Her prayers were unceasing. At least there were the silent, glowing statues that hopped around; they provided her food and drink and were mildly entertaining when they fell over. She gazed at the ceiling in the chamber. Link...Oh, Link. Are you still alive? ...No, of course you are. I'd know if you weren't. But where are you? Did you forget me? Did you meet someone else along your way? Someone more like you...someone who could be there for you... she thought miserably. I know Zelda is of your race...did you fall in love with her and forget about me? Or are you trapped in the land beneath the waves...? Oh, Link...We never should have... she sighed at the end of that thought. She didn't even turn around as she heard the door open behind her.
"It's not yet time for noon meal," Medli said aloud, believing the visitor to be a servant of the Earth Temple.
"So?" a voice replied. Medli whirled. Standing in the doorway was Link! His clothing was torn, his hair was dirty, and the scabbard for the Master Sword was empty. He had a scar over his left eye, and the Mirror Shield which was mounted on his arm was cracked and dented. But he was alive.
"Link, oh, Link, you came for me!" Medli leapt into his arms. He kissed her and grinned.
"I promised, didn't I?" Link said. Medli nestled her chin on his shoulder.
"Yeah. Yeah, you did, didn't you?" she sighed. She closed her eyes.
"Come on; we've gotta go get Makar from the Wind Temple. He's probably just as lonely as you were," Link said. He set Medli down, and the two of them walked hand in hand to the warp.
"Link, you smell," Medli winced.
"I just fought the King of Evil. I should smell," Link sighed.
"No...you smell like salt," she pointed out.
"Well, I sailed here, so that makes sense, too," he chuckled.
"I'm just glad you're here. Don't get the wrong idea," she sighed, running a finger along his face as they appeared outside the Earth Temple.
"Well, shall we?" Link motioned to the King of Red Lions.
"Sure. Let's go," Medli jumped into the boat. Link followed, conducted the winds, and the two of them set sail.