Across the Ocean
By Dominus Princeps
Chapter Two
She sat on the stool, a glass of slightly processed Black Chu Jelly in her hand. She took a swing of the bitter beverage and winced. A pleasant buzz filled her head.
"Ah, Link...I wonder where you are," she sighed, taking another drink of the Black Chu Jelly. She shook her head.
"We never shoulda parted...I shoulda taken you with me, Link...Oh, I miss you..." she murmured into her Chu Jelly. She drained the glass and hit the bar.
"'Nother glass of Black, wouldja?" she called to the bartender. He nodded dutifully and filled her glass with the viscous black gel. She drank a large gulp from it and shook her head as the sensation rushed through her body.
"Ah...Link, Link...little green kid...heh. Cute, wasn't he? Yeah, with that dinky little sword. But then he got that blue one. Right...what was it called?" she muttered to herself. She shook her head and drained the glass of Black Chu Jelly.
"An...another glash of Bl-Bla-ack, batenderrrr," her tongue was clumsy and her words slurred. The bartender shook his head.
"Naw, you've had enough, miss. Now shall I call an escort for you?" he replied. She pounded the bar angrily and reached for her dagger.
"I shaid, anudder glash...Black..." her vision left her just before her consciousness.
ooo
"Have you seen Medli recently, dad? I know Link took her to the Earth Temple, but since he defeated Ganon already, shouldn't she be home?" he asked. His father shook his head.
"No, I haven't, lad. Maybe you should talk to Valoo about her. They have a special bond, that dragon and that girl," his father replied. He nodded.
"Yeah...but it's a little late; I don't want to disturb the lord Valoo," he sighed. His father shrugged.
"If you insist," his father said as he left. He watched his father go before he turned back to gaze at the engraving of himself and Medli on the day he had gotten his scale from Valoo.
"Oh, Medli...It's a good night for a short flight," he sighed, leaving his room. He walked out on the shore and spread his wings. In a few short, powerful wingbeats he was off the ground and over the ocean. He wove in and out of rocky peaks out on the northeastern coast of Dragon Roost Island, then swooped over the mountain and glided onto a stone balcony.
"Nice to get a breath of fresh air...but..." he sighed, thinking of the copper-haired girl who had helped him so much. He shook the feeling, or tried to, and walked into his bedroom. It was late.
ooo
Light was streaming in the window by the time Medli woke. There was no one else in the house besides her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched. She scratched an itch on her chin and walked out of the house. Aryll was tending a small garden beside the house.
"Hi, Miss Medli! This is my flower garden. Link brought me some seeds from Forest Haven one time, and I planted them. Aren't they pretty?" Aryll pointed out some beautifully vibrant flowers in her garden.
"Are those just native flowers to this island?" Medli pointed at the taller but less colorful plants next to the special Forest Haven blossoms.
"Yep. But they're still pretty, just in a different way," Aryll replied. Medli looked out to the pier and saw two figures loading things onto the King of Red Lions. The one with the tousled blond hair turned back, and Medli jumped. It was Link! She hadn't recognized him since he wasn't wearing his green tunic. He was wearing a blue shirt and khakis. He looked up, saw Medli, and waved. Medli waved back and spread her wings. She lifted into the air and swooped down to the pier.
"Nice to see you awake, sleeping beauty," Link teased. Medli clocked him with a wing before folding them away. The other man with Link was a wiry, grey-haired man. He was certainly old, but it seemed to Medli that he had a very young composure.
"Medli, this is Orca, the man who taught me the ways of the sword. Orca, this is my partner in crime, Medli," Link introduced them. Medli shook his hand. He had a strong grip.
"Nice to see you've finally met a nice girl, Link," Orca chuckled. He turned suddenly to Medli.
"Oh, oh...You're the one who powered up the Master Sword to its full potential..." he said, awestruck. "For such a young girl, that's quite an accomplishment."
"Um...thank you, elder Orca," Medli bowed in respect to the swordmaster. Orca laughed.
"Elder...heh, I guess I am old. Link...before you two sail off, and I know that's what you're about to do, follow me back to my house. I've got something for you," he said. Link nodded reverently and followed Orca dutifully back to his house. Medli trailed Link. They all entered Orca's modestly furnished house. Orca reached behind a worn and beaten whale fixture and pulled an ornate scabbard with an equally ornate sword in it. He handed it to Link.
"This, my young Link, is the Prism Sword," Orca said. Link unsheathed the blade and blinked. Multicolored light reflected off of the multi-faceted blade, making points of different colors flash around on the walls.
"This sword can change itself in many different ways. I haven't journeyed from this island in a long time; seeing as you will, I'm sure you'll find out many things about it as you travel," Orca explained. Link sheathed the blade and held it in his hand.
"Thank you, master. I'll...I'll always remember you and your teaching, no matter where I go," he said, looking at his feet. A tear dropped to stain the floor. Medli wiped Link's other tears with her fingers.
"You keep Link safe," Orca placed a hand on Medli's shoulder. She nodded.
"I will, elder Orca," Medli said fervently. She and Link left Orca's house and stepped into the bright, hot sunshine of Outset Island.
"Hey, like my new clothes?" Link asked. Medli looked him up and down. He was wearing light khaki pants and a blue shirt with a white lobster emblem on it.
"I like your green stuff, but this looks nice, too," Medli smiled. Link kissed her cheek and walked down the pier. Medli followed him.
"Do we have everything?" she asked.
"Yep. Grandma made us a huge cauldron of her soup, and some other people drew out of their personal stocks to give us a large bag of salted fish," Link smiled. He turned back to look at the island and his breath caught in his throat. Medli turned around and saw that the entire island had come out to bid Link goodbye.
"Oh...oh, wow..." Link said softly. He and Medli waved before hopping into the King of Red Lions.
"I've seen it once before...but that was so long ago, I had forgotten what it felt like," Link said softly. Medli took his hand and squeezed it.
"It's nice having a whole island that loves you, huh?" she smiled. Link conducted the winds with the Wind Waker and hoisted the sail.
"Well...we're off!" he said, untying his boat. The boat accelerated quickly and sped across the waves. Soon, Outset was merely a large shadow in the distance. Link looked back to his home island, then looked forward.
"We've got enough water for a week, so we won't stop for anything until we hit Windfall, okay?" he said. Medli nodded.
"Okay. Um...did you eat any breakfast, Link?" she asked. Link shook his head.
"No, and I don't suspect you got any either. Here, let's break out the soup," he grinned. He locked the tiller and strode over to the cauldron resting near the bow. Link slid the top open and pulled two bowls from the ship's compartment.
"What don't you have in there?" Medli raised an eyebrow. Link chuckled.
"Not much," he said. He served himself and Medli generous portions of the golden-brown soup and handed Medli a spoon. Medli spooned some soup into her mouth and made a pleased noise.
"Like it?" Link grinned.
"This is hearty soup! Wow, that's good!" Medli said, eyeing the soup.
"Grandma's special recipe. I always carry around a bottle of it when I go adventuring; it keeps me healthy, you know?" Link nodded. Medli chuckled.
"This'll certainly keep you healthy! I feel stronger already," she said, licking her lips. Link smiled and continued to drink his soup. When they were done, Link took their dirty dishes and washed them by dipping them into the sea that rushed by them.
"Is that sanitary?" Medli winced.
"Plenty. This is what I've been doing for a long time, and do I look sick to you?" Link replied. Medli sighed and watched the prism-like ocean pass by. She jumped when Link yelled.
"Medli, look!" he cried, pointing. A large ship with several different sails was being bombarded by many smaller ships with cannons. The large ship was battling them valiantly, but there were too many of the small ships, and their efforts were taking heavy tolls on the large ship. Link sailed up to the scene and gasped.
"That's Tetra's ship! Medli, lower the sail!" he cried. Medli unhooked the sail, and the ship coasted to a stop. Meanwhile, Link had pulled a large sack of something out of the ship's compartment as well as a fearsome cannon. He affixed the cannon and stepped up to the platform attached to it.
"Medli, you steer. I'll fire the cannon," Link instructed. Medli nodded and stood at the tiller.
"Keep course..." Link said, concentrating. He aimed the cannon and fired. A blue bomb streaked form the cannon's barrel and struck one of the enemy ships square in the side, ripping a huge hole in its hull. The boat quickly sank. Medli angled the ship for a strafing run on another nearby ship. Link aimed the cannon and launched a bomb at the offending ship. The blue explosive struck the ship in its cannon, causing an explosive chain reaction that made a large and loud explosion. By now, the enemy ships had noticed the relatively small, red boat that had taken out two of their twelve. They began to converge on the King of Red Lions.
"Weave, Medli! Weave!" Link shouted over the din of explosions and cannons firing. He aimed at whatever ship he could see and fired off bombs in rapid succession. A nearby miss rocked the boat, hurling Medli to the deck. She cracked her head against the side of the boat and groaned. Her vision swam as she tried to stand. She grabbed a hold of the tiller and steadied herself. Medli ducked a low-flying bomb and gulped.
"That was close..." she muttered. Link pumped his arm.
"There's another. I think we drew them out enough so that the pirates can give us some support," he cheered. Sure enough, the heavy cannons of the huge pirate ship began booming. They did a much quicker job of sinking the seven remaining ships than Link had done with the five he'd taken personally. When there were no more cannon ships, Link and Medli put away the cannon and cruised over to the pirate ship. A rope ladder was lowered to them, so Link lowered sea anchor and jumped over to the ladder. Medli spread her wings and flew up to the deck. Soon after, Link pulled himself onto the deck.
"Hey, Link! You remember ol' Gonzo?" Gonzo grinned widely, putting Link in a headlock.
"Ah! Yeah, I remember! Hey, lemme go!" Link struggled against the burly pirate's grip.
"Thanks for the help, ol' buddy. When they got close, I thought we were done for," Gonzo patted Link's head after releasing him.
"Well, you guys are my buddies; what am I supposed to do?" Link grinned. He looked around.
"Where's Tetra?" he asked.
"We were coming to Outset to ask you that. We saw your red boat pass us a few days earlier and thought that you were going after her since you two...uh, well..." Gonzo blushed at the end of his statement. Medli raised an eyebrow at Link. Link looked over at Medli and shrugged.
"I mean, she has pictures of you in her room and all, I just thought..." Gonzo was still blushing.
"Gonzo, I'm not going out with Tetra. I haven't seen her since I promised her that I would spread the word about her new kingdom," Link sighed, shaking his head.
"Oh...sorry. So...would this be the lucky lady?" Gonzo motioned toward Medli.
"Yep. Medli, this is Gonzo, Tetra's first mate. Gonzo, this is Medli, the Sage of Earth," Link introduced them.
"Nice to-" Medli began. Gonzo fell onto his knees and placed his forehead against the deck.
"Oh, please, powerful mistress, don't use your power on me! I don't like zombies!" the pirate whimpered. Medli took a step back.
"What are you talking about? Zombies?" she asked, surprised. Gonzo opened one eye and looked up at her.
"You don't know what they say about the Sage of Earth? Tetra has all kinds of books about the Sages and other things. Her books say that the Sage of Earth can summon zombie warriors that will fight for the Sage in battle," Gonzo blinked. Link chuckled.
"Medli may have the power to enhance the Master Sword, but she's no necromancer," he said. Gonzo picked himself up.
"Sorry," he blushed, dusting his chest off.
"Hey, it's my old swabbie!" a grating, high-pitched voice called. Link rolled his eyes and sighed.
"You haven't tossed him overboard yet?" Link grinned to Gonzo. Gonzo chuckled.
"Din knows I've wanted to," the pirate grumbled. Niko ran up to Link.
"Hey, hey, you've changed your gear? What happened to the green get-up?" Niko asked.
"It was totally torn up and stuff from my battle with Ganon. Plus it was threadbare...and nobody liked it," Link replied.
"I liked it," Medli grinned, cuffing Link on the back of the head with a wing. Link smiled.
"Okay, so you and my grandma liked it. But that's it," he snorted. Niko peered at Medli.
"Now, who's this? A girl for the Hero of Winds? Well, well, swabbie..." Niko grinned.
"So, where are you guys headed?" Link pointedly ignored Niko.
"We're sailing around, searching for Miss Tetra. We can give you a lift somewhere, as long as it's on our way," Gonzo replied.
"We're headed for Windfall," Link said.
"Sorry, Link, but we're going west-southwest. Totally out of our way. I mean, we'd love to, but..." Gonzo trailed off.
"Yeah, don't worry about it, Gonzo. We'll look for her, too. If we find her, we'll tell her you're looking for her. See you guys around," Link said, shrugging. He climbed quickly down the rope ladder. Medli swooped down into the boat and stuck her tongue out at Link as he made his way down. He thumbed his nose and jumped off the rope ladder. Link pulled himself into the boat and hoisted the sail. The King of Red Lions quickly accelerated, headed straight north.
"Sounds like Tetra has a thing for you, Link," Medli grinned. Link rolled his eyes as he locked the tiller.
"Yeah, well, she always did seem a little friendly," he replied.
"Did you ever pick her up and carry her through a temple?" she teased. Link snorted.
"I don't do that to every girl I meet, you know," Link said. Medli laughed.
"Well, that makes me feel better," she said. Link leaned against the mast, facing her where she sat against the side of the boat. He knelt down in front of her and ran his fingers along the lines of her cheek.
"You've got nice cheeks," Link grinned. She shivered with delight at his touch, then grinned.
"Which ones?" Medli pushed on Link's chest with both hands.
"No way you're separating me from you, Medli," Link laughed, resisting her. He pushed her arms up, breaking her barrier. He picked her up suddenly and lifted her above his head.
"What are you doing?" she shrieked, flailing.
"Wanna go for a dip?" Link held her over the water flying past.
"Hey, no, Link!" Medli's eyes widened and she shook her head. Link set her down in the boat.
"Maybe not today," Link shrugged. Medli pretended to pout but secretly had enjoyed it.
"I'm sorry," Link said slowly. Medli turned and shrugged.
"It's okay. I'll swim with you one of these days," she replied.
ooo
She awoke stiff, leaning against a wall in an alley. Her head was pounding. She groaned at the hangover and picked herself up. Her neck, back, and legs were incredibly stiff from the position she was in against the wall. She staggered down the alleyway and winced as sunlight stabbed her face. She covered her eyes with one hand and stumbled down the ramp to the beach. She thrust her face underwater and held her breath as the cool waves soothed her aching head. She laid back on the beach and moaned as her headache returned.
"Ugh! What the fuck was I doing, going out drinking last night?" she yelled to no one. And, in turn, no one responded. She pounded the beach and sat up.
"Well...I guess I can wait for him one more day. But that's it. After today, I'm going somewhere else than this place to wait on Link!" she said forcefully. She got up and walked over to where her sailboat was docked. She hopped into it and pulled a fifty Rupee piece out of the safe. She pocketed the piece and walked into market. It was near noon, and she was hungry.
ooo
"Dad, I think I'm gonna go to Windfall for the summer market, okay?" he called to his father.
"Sure. Here, I'll get you some money, and you can buy yourself lunch and some trinkets there," his father said to him, walking away. He sighed. Maybe this will take my mind off Medli... he thought. His father came back with an orange Rupee and a bag.
"Use this to carry what you buy, okay? See you later, lad," his father handed him the money and the bag.
"Thanks, dad. I'll be back later in the afternoon," he called. His father nodded and walked off. He walked out onto the beach, spread his wings, and flew west, catching a powerful thermal that came from Valoo's magic.
ooo
Medli sighed as she watched the sea go by.
"Isn't there any way we can get to Windfall faster?" she turned back to face Link where he was annotating his sea chart. Link looked up.
"Well...there was one way, but..." he began. He jumped up.
"There! I can ask him about it!" Link pointed to a huge cyclone on the ocean.
"Link...that's a cyclone. You're crazy," Medli blinked. Link freed the tiller and aimed the prow of the boat right for the cyclone.
"Link..." a note of worry entered Medli's voice.
"Don't worry about it!" Link grinned confidently. They were swept into the powerful winds of the cyclone and brought to the top of it, where a pink, frog-like creature sat upon a cloud.
"Well, hello, little wind waker. How've you been?" Cyclos smiled, circling the boat.
"Fine, Cyclos. But...there's been a problem with your cyclone-transportation. For some reason, I haven't been able to command your cyclones ever since I defeated Ganondorf," Link said.
"Odd...I don't know why that would be," Cyclos frowned. "Perhaps you should visit the Wind Temple and talk to its Sage."
"Well, we're on our way there, so we'll give it a shot," Link said.
"Shall I give you a lift to Windfall, then?" Cyclos grinned.
"Sure!" Link said. He turned to Medli.
"Hey, Medli?" he said.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"Two words: Hang on," Link grinned, wrapping his arms around the mast. Medli followed his lead, and suddenly found out the wisdom in his words. The boat began spinning rapidly and shot forward as they rode a cyclone for Windfall Island.
ooo
"Well, that was an experience," Medli said as she leapt onto the beach from where they touched down.
"Like I said: You're getting all kinds of experiences hangin' with me," Link grinned.
"I'm never going to fly near cyclones ever again," Medli muttered, shaking her head. Link threw an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side.
"Come on...you enjoyed it," he teased. She put her arm around his waist.
"Kind of. But don't get any ideas about fun dates in cyclones, Link," she pinched his hip. He winced at the pinch and mock-growled. They walked into the marketplace that was set up in Windfall.
"Oh, hey! The summer market!" Medli said. Link looked at her with questioning eyes.
"Windfall has a market set up every summer. It's a favorite place for Rito to hang out; I certainly liked it," she explained. They both whirled as they heard a voice shout, "Medli!"
"Who would-" Medli began. She let go of Link as she saw who it was.
"Komali!" she exclaimed, hugging her fellow Rito and student as he ran up to her.
"Wow, Medli, it's been so long since I've seen you! And, hey, Link!" Komali grinned, shaking Link's hand.
"Din's Pearl serving you well?" the prince asked.
"Yep. Definitely," Link bit his lip. Komali looked at the two of them.
"What are you guys doing here?" he asked, curious. Link shrugged.
"We were going to go get Makar from the Wind Temple and then...uh...well, we were gonna figure that out when we got there," Link grinned. Komali nodded.
"How was the Earth Temple?" he asked Medli, interested. Medli decided to omit the parts about Link carrying her around and the kiss they had shared—that was personal.
"Well, it was certainly scary. I mean, there were Re-Deads and Bubbles and Floormasters," she looked at Link and winked, "everywhere. Plus the guardian of the temple was a gigantic Poe."
"Wow! Did you have to fight him, or did Link?" Komali asked. Link sighed.
"Your mentor saved my sorry tail," he interjected. Medli patted his back.
"We did it together," she said. He chuckled.
"Yeah...well, I wouldn't have thought of the whole light thing without you," Link said, "but whatever."
"So was Ganondorf tough?" Komali turned his attention to Link. Link took the Mirror Shield off his back and pointed to the dent on it.
"See for yourself. That was from one of his swords," he snorted. Komali took the Mirror Shield and admired the dent. He ran his finger along the fracture on the surface.
"Did he do that, too?" Komali asked.
"No, that was Zel—er, Tetra's arrow of light," Link replied. Komali nodded and handed Link the shield.
"Wow...but you must be pretty good to defeat the King of Evil," the prince said. Link sighed.
"I didn't get away unscathed, you know. But I was alive," Link pointed to his scar. Komali's eyes widened.
"He...he got you there?" the prince asked.
"And on my chest, too. But I'm still here, you see," Link grinned.
"Come on, let's get some lunch. I'll pay," Komali offered.
"Sure. Thanks, Komali," Medli smiled at her student and ruffled his hair. He smiled back at her.
"Any time, Medli," he said. She heard something catch in his voice as he said her name. There was something other than a friendly student's tone in it...
"Where shall we eat?" Link asked. Komali pointed to the seafood grill.
"How about there?" he led them over. Link took Medli's hand.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" he smiled. She leaned against him as they stood in line at the grill.
"Yep. Great day to be out," she sighed. Komali turned and almost screamed as he saw Medli leaning on Link with her eyes closed, a contented look on her face. Medli...Link...no...no, no, no, NO! Komali screamed in his mind instead. He managed to cover his internal rage by turning away from them.
"What are you gonna get, Link?" Medli asked.
"I think the rockfish," he replied.
"I'm longing for some tuna...it's been forever," Medli shrugged.
"I think I could go for some tuna, too," Komali voiced his own order. He could barely contain his shaking and his anger. How could she? Link? He's not even of our race! Komali thought bitterly. He ordered for the three of them and stalked off to get them a table. Link paid for drinks since Komali had left. He carried the tray of food and Medli took the two glasses of milk and Link's glass of fizzy Yellow Chu Jelly.
"You left before we could order drinks, so we assumed you wanted milk," Medli said cheerily.
"Sorry—I clean forgot," Komali covered. He ate his tuna hungrily and drank his milk quickly. Link grinned as he watched the boy-prince eat.
"Flying over here leaves you hungry, huh?" he said. Komali laughed.
"Yeah. I guess sailing is the lazy way out, huh?" his voice was tainted with bitterness that Komali couldn't remove no matter how hard he tried.
"You could say that," Link replied. There was something in his eye that caught Komali's attention. And at that moment, Komali realized that Link knew. Medli started to scold Komali about his table manners, but they were cut off by a shout.
"Link? Link!" a woman's voice called. Link turned and laughed.
"Tetra, wow! Sheesh, you look like crap!" he teased. Tetra blushed and then frowned.
"Nothing compared to what you smell like! Where've you been?" she asked.
"All over the place. You know, your pirate crew's looking for you," Link said. Tetra shrugged.
"Yeah, well...they're a bunch of girly-men who don't know up from down," she sighed. She turned and noticed Medli and Komali.
"Oh, hey, you're the Sage of Earth! And you are...?" Tetra didn't recognize Komali.
"The prince of the Rito, Komali," Komali clarified. Tetra nodded.
"Well, I'm Tetra, the famed pirate!" she puffed her chest out. Link cuffed her on the back of the head.
"They don't need to hear your crap, Tetra," he sighed. Tetra rolled her eyes.
"Crap? It's not crap," she pushed Link playfully. Link shook his head and took his seat next to Medli. Tetra sat next to Komali, across from Link and Medli.
"So, how've you been, Tetra?" Link asked.
"Oh, you know. Traveling the islands, spreading the word," Tetra shrugged. Thinking of you...
"Find any new ones?" Medli asked, diverting Tetra's gaze from Link on purpose. You may want him, but he's mine. Tetra turned to Medli.
"Mmm...no, not any major ones," she replied. Something sparked between the girls.
"Well...Medli and I really should be going," Link said reluctantly, stretching. Medli nodded.
"Yeah...sorry, you guys. It was nice seeing you," Medli faked reluctance. Leaving, and none too soon, she thought, glancing at Tetra, who was trying to hide how she was fawning over Link. She shook Link's hand roughly.
"Guess it's goodbye. I'll see you, right?" she said hopefully. Link shrugged.
"Maybe. We'll probably run into each other," he said. Komali put a hand on Medli's shoulder. She turned and realized that he was taller than her by half a foot. She hadn't noticed because he was either sitting down, or she was focused on Link.
"You've really grown a lot since I left you last, Komali," Medli pointed out. He blushed.
"You've...you've changed a lot too," the prince replied. He smiled.
"You'll be around?" Komali asked. Medli nodded.
"Yeah, I mean, Link and I'll be sailing and all, but yeah, we'll stop by every now and then," she said. He hugged her.
"Be safe," Komali said softly before spreading his wings and flying off. Tetra had just finished hugging Link, as Medli saw. Link walked over to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Let's go, Medli," he said softly. "I've said my goodbyes."
"Okay. Me, too," she murmured, putting her arm around his waist. They walked off, leaving Tetra standing in shock by the table.
"But...b-but..." she stammered. She unsheathed her dagger and plunged it into the table in pain-filled rage.
"How could he? I'm Zelda! I can't be denied!" Tetra growled. She pulled her dagger from the table and sprinted out to her ship.
"There's still time to catch him!"
ooo
Komali soared above Link and Medli as they set out from Windfall toward Gale Isle. He spat at Link, but missed, of course.
"How dare he? How dare he take her? Of all the girls in the world, why her?" Komali screamed to the wind. He kept easy pace with the red sailboat as it sailed northwest to Gale Isle.
"Damn you, Link and damn you, Fate!" he yelled. Movement at the corner of his vision caused Komali to look back. A white sailboat was trailing Link's red boat. Komali didn't recognize this boat but turned his attention back to the red sailboat that was rapidly approaching Gale Isle.
ooo
"Here we are. That was pretty quick," Link remarked as the King of Red Lions coasted up to the shore of Gale Isle. He hopped out of the boat and helped Medli ashore.
"This was where Makar and I had our adventure before I came to the Earth Temple. This place was harrowing, I'll tell you. Peahats everywhere," Link shook his head as they entered through the cave mouth. Link dropped into the hole in the ground first; Medli followed quickly. They landed in the antechamber of the dungeon and passed through the door.
ooo
"Why would they be going here anyway?" Komali pondered as he touched down on Gale Isle. The white sailboat dropped anchor, and Komali turned to see...
"Tetra?" he called. The pirate glanced up.
"Komali? What are you...?" she narrowed her eyes.
"I was...following Link and Medli. What about you?" he asked her.
"Me too. Why are they coming here?" the pirate scratched her head as she made her way for the cave. Komali shrugged.
"I don't know, but I don't like it, for some reason," he replied.
"Is that because you've got it for Medli?" Tetra smirked. Komali whirled to face her.
"How did you..?" he began.
"Oh, please. It's so transparent," Tetra rolled her eyes.
"Like you for Link?" Komali jabbed. Tetra sighed.
"Yeah," she replied. They entered the Wind Temple and set off for Link and Medli.
ooo
Link held onto Medli's ankles as she flapped her wings furiously to steady herself in the powerful whirlwind that raged in the center of the main chamber. Soon enough, they reached the top and made for the former boss's chamber. They dropped into the second hole in the ground that day and fell thirty feet into a sand dune.
"Whuf!" Link and Medli gasped the same noise as they impacted on the dune and kicked up a huge cloud of sand that slowly found its way back to the ground.
"Still alive?" Medli groaned to Link, rolling over onto her back.
"I forgot how far down it was," Link grimaced. He sat up and stood slowly.
"Ugh...everything still works," he stretched. Medli picked herself up and shook the sand from her hair. At the center of the room was a slightly elevated platform with a Triforce insignia like that of the Earth Temple. Link ran over to the platform.
"Makar!" he cried. Medli ran over to where Link was cradling the Korok.
"Is he okay?" she asked worriedly. Link looked at her with anguished eyes.
"I don't know," he whispered, fright evident in his voice. Medli fished in her pocket and pulled out a bottle filled with Red Chu Jelly.
"Maybe give him a sip?" she suggested. Link took the bottle, uncorked it, and poured the solution into the apparent mouth of the Korok's leaf-mask. The little Makar sputtered and twitched.
"L-Link? Swordsman Link...!" the Korok's voice was weak.
"What's wrong, Makar?" Link asked desperately.
"Link...I'm sick...I've been...so far...Great Deku Tree...need...go home..." Makar gasped, shaking violently. Link turned to Medli.
"Take Makar to the boat. I'm going to see if there's something else wrong in this temple that's causing the sickness," he said. Medli nodded and took the shivering Korok from Link's arms.
"Be careful, Link," Medli whispered, kissing his cheek. Link smiled.
"You know there's nothing that can stop me," he said, running a finger along her cheek. Medli turned to the warp in the center of the room and stepped into it. She felt an unfamiliar sensation and was suddenly out on the beach in front of the King of Red Lions. There was a white sailboat anchored near the red one; Medli didn't recognize it.
"Hmm...the little forest creature is unwell," the King of Red Lions frowned, gazing at Makar.
"Yeah...do you know if there's anything we can do for him right now?" Medli asked the boat.
"Try feeding him some of that soup you have. He might just need nutrition," the King suggested. Medli shrugged and set the Korok down on the deck of the boat and spooned some soup out.
"Open wide, Makar," she said soothingly. Behind the mask, it was impossible to tell whether Makar had his mouth open, but Medli poured the soup into the mouth part of his mask. She heard him swallow.
"That soup is good!" Makar squeaked. He sat up.
"Mmmm! I want more!" the little Sage said eagerly. The King of Red Lions winked at Medli. The Rito Sage sighed and spooned more soup from the cauldron of soup. She fed it to Makar and the Korok smacked his lips.
"Mmmm...whose soup is this?" he asked.
"Link's grandmother's," Medli replied. Makar nodded, which involved shaking his whole body.
"Well, my compliments to her. Say...where's Link?" the Korok asked.
"He went to go searching for what was ailing you; shall we contact him?" Medli responded.
"Hmm. All I remember of it was a figure in black armor, and then suddenly I was really sick!" Makar said.
"Well...I'll get Link. Hold on..." Medli rummaged through the ship's compartment and grabbed the Gossip Stone. It pulsed, and Medli saw Link battling two giant moth larvae. His sword appeared to be glowing with fire...
"Link! Link, hello?" Medli called into the stone.
"Busy right now," he replied, striking one of the larvae. It burst into flame and shrieked. Link did the same to the other one, sheathed his weapon, and pulled out his Gossip Stone.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Makar was alright after all. Your grandmother's soup was all he needed. But his story is a little foreboding..." Medli trailed off.
"I'll be right there. Hang on," Link replied, pocketing the stone. Medli returned hers to its place in the ship's compartment and turned to where Makar sat in the King of Red Lions as he hailed her.
"So...how've you been?" Makar asked, waddling over to the side of the boat and hopping out. Medli shrugged.
"Alright, I guess. I mean, finding out you're a Sage is nothing easy, but I'll help Link in any way I can," she replied. Makar nodded and waddled over to her.
"Is he your boyfriend?" the Korok asked, nudging Medli's shin with his stubby arm. Medli nodded.
"Yeah...hey, how'd you know that?" she asked.
"I saw you kiss him. I was awake then, you know," the little Korok chuckled. Medli blushed.
"Well, that was a disaster," the two of them turned at the sounds of voices coming from the cave that led to the Wind Temple.
"How were we supposed to know about all the tricks of that dungeon?" another voice growled. Medli stuck her hands on her hips as she saw who the voices belonged to—Tetra and Komali.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked skeptically. Tetra and Komali froze.
"Um...we were curious as to why you were coming here," Tetra covered lamely. Link jogged out of the Wind Temple and stopped.
"Hey, why are you guys here?" he asked. Tetra and Komali turned to face Link, then Medli.
"Uh..." they said in synch. Link walked over to Medli and picked up Makar.
"Hey, bud! You look much better. I was worried about you, bud!" Link grinned, tossing the Korok into the air and catching him. Makar cheered as he flew into the air and came back down.
"Well, I was praying for your sword, Link, and then I heard someone enter the sanctum. I turned and then suddenly I blacked out. I woke up feeling awful and I saw a figure in black armor looking at me. He turned and left, and then I felt really, really sick!" Makar explained as Link tossed him up and down. Link finally set Makar down and turned to face Tetra and Komali, who were looking sheepish.
"Why'd you guys follow us here?" he asked.
"Well, we wanted...to know why you were coming here. Yeah, that's it," Komali replied. Tetra nodded in an attempt to add credibility to Komali's statement. Link gave them a skeptical look but shrugged.
"C'mon, Medli. If that 'figure' is anywhere on the map, it'll be the Forsaken Fortress," he said, walking to the King of Red Lions. Medli set Makar on her head and jogged after Link. The Korok gripped her ponytail as she leapt aboard Link's boat. She helped Link hoist the sail and haul anchor. Link conducted the winds, and they were off.
"I..." Tetra held up a hand as if she could stop Link.
"Too late, Tetra. Let's just go home," Komali sighed, making to fly off.
"No way, boy-prince. We're going to follow them," Tetra grinned, "and we've got a reason, now."
"Oh, come on," Komali rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, we can say that we were worried about their safety!" Tetra pounded her fist into her palm.
"Well...we'd better hurry, then," Komali sighed, stepping into her sailboat. They hoisted sail, hauled anchor, and set off after the red sailboat that was quickly disappearing.