RCM- Argh… sunburned, sore, tired… But damn! It's good to be back! I wonder what my readers left for me while I was gone…? (soft chuckle after reading the reviews) Quite an observant reviewer… slightly mistaken in one detail, but otherwise very perceptive. You were correct in the primary source of Lance's Flare Blade attack. I did base it off of Roy's Blazer move from SSBM. However, I made no mistake calling the charm a Gossip Stone. In the game, when we first learned Tetra was Zelda, King Hyrule said that the charm was MADE of Gossip Stone. Therefore my use of that term instead is warranted. Now that that is out of the way, I can return, as promised, with these new chapters. To emphasize the disclaimer further, I will make it on its own line this time:

I do not own The Legend of Zelda, nor do I own the material from other video games, television, or anything else my readers happen to observe.

I must say I'm impressed with that reviewer's observations (you know who you are). However, I respectfully ask that you all not mention where you recognize material from after this update. At the conclusion of this story, I will be posting a Cast and Credits segment, which will detail a little background for each major character, as well as what sources I used throughout the story. In the meantime, let's continue the adventure. Today we will be entering the Kingdom of the Snow Nymphs, a land led by a dear friend of mine. Oh, and speaking of whom, her latest review (which I read before I left) is actually what gave me the idea for the opening scene… ow! Damn burn…

Chapter 15

A Warm-Hearted Ice Queen

"No way! It reflected the blast?!"

"I couldn't believe it. I barely got my shield up in time." Link looked out the window to watch in quiet awe at the snow gently drifting in the morning air. "Shadow somehow got behind it and cut off its head, then Tikal used my telescope to bring us here."

Tetra barked a laugh. "How'd she manage that? Didja squeeze through the eye-piece?"

The Hero of Winds scoffed. "No, Miss Tetra, I don't know how she did it. I'm not a magician."

"Sure you are. I bet you've got lots of tricks up your sleeves, lover boy." She sighed happily. "I'm just glad those Nymphs patched you all up. Since the boys are out getting supplies on Windfall, there aren't any distractions… we can talk for hours."

Link smiled sadly. "Sorry hon… knowing these guys, something's going to go wrong right about…" A splash followed by raucous laughter came from the room next door. "Now."

Seconds later, Link heard the door slam open and Lance yelling "Hugh! Get back here you sonuvabitch!"

Tetra was laughing hard on the other side of the connection, obviously hearing the events taking place. "See what I have to put up with? If those two behave well enough, we're going to be getting the next shard later today. I'll fill you in on what happened as soon as we get back."

"Alright. Take care of yourself. And don't let the children kill each other." With another laugh, Link put away the Pirate's Charm and exited the room.

The sight that met his eyes almost sent him to the floor, he was laughing so hard. Lance was chasing Hugh around the lobby of the inn, soaking wet. Since Hugh still held the bucket he used to douse his childhood friend, it was clear who started the mess. Walking up behind him, Tikal blinked in confusion, then wiped her eyes and took a closer look before finally registering the madness before them. "Link, what's going on? What's got into them?"

It took a moment or two for Link to calm down enough to provide an answer. "From what I heard, Hugh dumped a bucket of ice water on Lance while he was sleeping. This would be the aftermath." She rolled her eyes and went back to her room. Returning with her staff, she then cast Hinder on both of them, ending the amusing scene. Link held himself up against the wall, finally catching his breath. "Oh well… they would've run up a huge Public Disturbance fee if they kept that up anyway."

After cleaning up and apologizing to the Nymph managing the place, the group was escorted to the castle. Inside sat the Queen of the Snow Nymphs, her ice-crystal crown sparkling in the morning light. "Welcome, weary travelers. I hope you have enjoyed your rest and recovered fully. I am Aria Zephyr, the Queen of this fair land. From what I have heard, you are the fabled Saviors of the Seal. If I may, is that true?"

Lance nodded, holding out his pendant. The crystal shard glittered within it, the insignia of Fire bright on its surface. "Yes, your majesty."

Rising from her throne, the queen slowly walked up to him and gently took the medallion in her hands. "By the Gods… it truly is the Charm…" She let it fall back onto Lance's tunic. "I was advised of this occurrence by a friend of mine. He is the High Mage within the Ice Tower just north of here."

Hugh cautiously raised his arm, not wanting to offend the beautiful royalty before them. "Excuse me, but would he happen to be the Chaos Mage of Weather?"

Queen Aria smiled. "Why yes, sir knight. He is also called the White Chaos Mage." Just then, one of the queen's servants entered the room, apparently agitated. "Tiana? What's wrong? You look pale."

Shadow muttered under his breath "How could she tell? Their skin's bluish-white." Link promptly jabbed him in the ribs. "What?"

The servant bowed to the queen, fear evident on her face. "Lady Aria! A massive white wolf is headed toward town! It is coming from the direction of the Ice Tower!"

"What?!" Queen Aria looked like she was about to faint. "That's… not possible… How could anything get by the Mage's protection spell?"

Lance and Hugh immediately knew exactly what had happened. Just like in their own hometown, the local Mage must have been engaged in a battle with an evil force, allowing monsters to escape the temple walls. That could only mean that the shard they sought was in danger. "Lady Aria, we'll take care of this! Keep your people inside!" The queen nodded silently, watching the six run out to intercept the creature.

Shadow saw it first. The beast did look like a wolf, but its forepaws were grossly oversized, as were its jaws. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the black warrior in its path, rearing up to attack the potential prey. Stopping in a battle stance, Shadow made his weapon into a scythe. "You like that form, don't you?"

Ignoring Hugh's comment, the Darkman identified the threat. "It's a Wolfos. It has decent speed and defensive skills, but its claws are too large for it to use them very effectively. If its attack misses, the vulnerable tail will be exposed."

"Allow me." Lance ran forward, watching and waiting for the wolf to make its move. The swipe came, and the warrior leapt out of the way. "Ha! That was almost too easy!" A single Flare Blade to the tail wiped out the Wolfos, leaving a few coins where it disappeared. "Huh?"

Shadow smirked. "I guess the rumors about these things eating money and items are true."

"Whatever…" Picking up the spoils, Lance looked toward the tower. A blue energy barrier was shimmering before the doorway, blocking any from entering, though it flickered off every so often. "The shield is dropping too erratically for all of us to just sneak by. Let's talk to Queen Aria again about that Tower." A short while later, they again stood before the Lady of the North, Lance telling the likely circumstances of the beast's escape. "So unless we can get to the shrine inside the Tower, those monsters will just keep on coming.

Aria absorbed that and quickly called another servant. "Apollo, get the Tower Key for our guests. Hurry!" Within a few moments, he returned with said key in hand. "Use that to break the seal around the entrance of the Ice Tower. You will not be able to enter otherwise. Please hurry to the Mage's aid."

The six each bowed to the queen. "Yes, your majesty."

"Come back and see me once your task there is complete. I may be able to help you further." Rising herself, she returned the gesture of respect. "Fare thee well, heroes."

Drawing their weapons, the six turned and headed off towards the resting-place of the second Chaos Element, as well as whatever else hid within the tower walls. As they departed, the queen thought she heard Hugh say "The first one to get knocked out in there buys dinner." The resulting uproar brought a small smile to her lips.

"Good luck, Protectors… May the Gods watch over you…"

End Chapter 15

RCM- As I promised before, I have written three chapters during my absence, but I have yet to type them up. Since this one is done now, I will post this alone today, and provide the next one tomorrow. If I finish both, then you all will get the treat of two chapters in one day. With that said, I will take my leave. Anarina, Solaris, I will require your assistance for Chapter 17. You both have another appearance coming up. As for the rest of you, I bid thee farewell.