Chapter 6: Journey To The West
disclaimer: Zelda and all characters of the game are property of Nintendo. In no way do I expect to get paid for this.
Link and Epona rode for three days to the west. By nightfall of the third day, they reached a large village by a gigantic mountain. He entered the village gate and began his search for Impa. The village was peaceful and full of people. Many stalls and shops were spread about the place and the people seemed almost completely care free. Link made his way to a large house with an odd looking mark on the front door. It took the shape of a big, red-colored eye with what looked to be a tear dripping from the middle. He opened the door and was greeted by a masked figure of Link's height.
"Welcome to the House of Shiekah," said the masked man. "Whom do you seek, traveler?"
Link removed the hood from his cloak. "I seek the lord of this village. I am here on request of Princess Zelda."
The masked man took notice of the mark of the Royal Family on Link's tunic and looked back at Link. "I shall take you to my master, Impa. Be warned, stranger. She demands much respect from all who have business to discuss."
Link bowed his head to illustrate his respect and was led into a large room with only one person inside sitting on her throne. She looked to be some kind of warrior, despite how old she appeared to be. Wearing a dark blue cloak with the same mark on the front door of the house, she had very short white hair and tribal markings on her face. Her dark red eyes were enough to strike fear of any small minded man who would gaze upon them. She stood from her throne as Link and the masked man entered.
"My lady, this traveler has some business to discuss with you," said the masked man. "He has the mark of allegiance on his shirt."
Impa narrowed her eyes at Link as she gazed upon him. She knew what he was here for. She gestured to the masked man. "Leave us."
The masked man lowered his head and left the room. Link approached Impa. "I know why you have come, traveler. What name do you go by?"
"I am Link, son of Tristan, Knight of Lake Hylia."
"Ah, Link. You seek the three sacred pendants, do you not?"
"Ay, my lady. Princess Zelda sent me here to find you." Impa and Link began strolling about the room.
"An evil is spreading across the land. Its power grows by the day. We, the Shiekah, are descendants of the legendary Seven Sages, who built this village as a symbol of Hyrule's union of all races. We have longer lives than the Hylians do. We live to serve the Royal Family and to protect the Great Seal of the Triforce."
They stopped by a window and looked outside at the village. "When I look upon you, I see the great hero of legend. But you still have much to learn in your journeys. If you wish to find the three sacred pendants, you must endure many hardships along the way. It is the path of the hero. Your life will change from now on to your death."
Link looked at Impa. "I will not fail in my quest. I am not afraid."
Impa smirked at him. "You are young and valiant. I know you will do well in your quest. But know this, boy. This burden is heavy. Once you start down the path of the hero, that for every day you live, also will you die. There is no turning back."
Link did not change his expression of determination. "I understand."
Impa looked away from Link. "You will make way for Goron Mountain. This village rests on the foot of the mountain and is not difficult to navigate. You will meet with the people of the mine city, the Gorons. They are a proud race of warriors and are in good relations with the King. You may stay here for the night and leave at dawn. We will keep your horse here and tend to its needs."
Link slept in a small room of the large house. He spent his night thinking about what was ahead of him until he finally fell into a deep sleep.
Link followed the dirt road up the mountain until he reached a large door with two round shaped figures on each side. They were tall, tan-colored creatures with large, muscular arms and short legs. They both carried a large spear in their right hand.
Link approached the two guards. "Is this the entrance to the mine city of the Gorons?"
The guard on the left nodded at Link. "Ay, traveler. What business do you have with us?"
"I am a messenger of the Royal Family, and I must speak with your lord and master."
The guard looked at Link with suspicion until he saw the mark on his tunic. "You may pass. Lord Darunia will meet with you in the main chamber."
The guards opened the door and permitted Link to enter. Inside, Link saw a massive underground city, filled with many Goron miners at work. The Gorons took notice to Link and treated him with respect, lowering their heads as they passed him. Link made his way down to the lower levels of the city and entered the main chamber.
Inside the large room were four more Goron guards and a larger Goron sitting on a large chair. He wore a massive red cloak and sported a large white beard. Next to him stood another giant Goron holding a large war hammer and a big battle ax strapped to his back. Tribal tattoos spread out on his chest and forearms, along with a few marks on his face. Link kneeled to the Goron sitting on the chair.
The Goron leaned forward and spoke in a deep and low voice. "Welcome, stranger. Rise and tell me your name."
Link stood up and gazed upon him. "I am Link, son of Tristan, Knight of Hylia and representative of the Royal Family."
The Goron stood from his chair. "I am Lord Darunia, King of the Gorons. I am honored to have you here as my guest. Guards, leave us."
The four guards left the room while the Goron brute stood his ground. "So tell me, Sir Link, what brings you to my mountain," asked Darunia.
"I come here to warn you in these troubled times. Goblins are roaming the fields of Hyrule and I was sent here by Impa to obtain the Pendant of Power."
Darunia sat back down in his chair. "We have already received an attack by the goblins. They climbed the mountain from behind so they would not alert the village below. They have blocked off our food source and have ruined our harvest of the mountain's special crop: the Bombflower. We still have reserves of the crop but my people are growing hungry. We have tried to regain our food source but the goblins guard the entrance of the temple. Now they control the fate of my people."
Link thought of what he could do to help. "Is there anything I might do to help?"
Darunia was surprised at his question. "Why would you risk your life to save my people? What do the Gorons owe you?"
"This threat involves all of Hyrule," said Link. "The King will need all of his allies to win this war, and I intend to carry out his needs."
Darunia smiled at Link. If there was one thing he respected, it was courage. "You are quite brave, young lad. If you want to help, join us as we make our stand to fend off the goblin horde. If you can sneak into the cave and find the source of our problem, then not only will we fight for your King once again, but I will give you the Pendant of Power."
Link kneeled down once again. "I shall find the source and destroy it."
"Hold on, lad. Though I highly admire your courage, I will not trust the fate of my people to just one pointy-eared soldier alone. My son, Darmani, will join you. He knows the caves well and is the greatest warrior of the Gorons."
Darmani lifted his war hammer and stepped forward. "I shall assist you in your quest."
Link stood up and nodded at Darmani. "When do you plan to strike?"
"We shall strike tomorrow at dawn," said Darmani. "You shall sleep here tonight."
Link was given a tour of the mining city by Darmani. He saw the production of the Bombflower harvest, watching many workers creating explosive weapons from the fruit of the plants. He saw the armory, where Goron blacksmiths made their war weapons out of strong steel. Their weapon of choice was the battle ax, but they also made many swords for the soldiers and crossbows for the archers. Darmani explained to Link that the war hammer he carried was a weapon of legend among the Gorons and only the greatest Goron warrior would be aloud to use it. They made metal chest and arm plates for their armor, for their hands were too large to make chain mailed armor. That proved to be no set back on their defense, for their hides were tough enough to begin with. Their backs were especially difficult to penetrate.
As they continued the tour, Link noticed a large stable by the entrance of the city. The stables housed oxen, rather than horses. They kept the oxen for their strength and were the only animals that were able to carry the Gorons, should they have the need for travel. The Gorons usually kept to themselves, only leaving the mountain for trading of their explosive weapons. They were a strong race of warriors who fought for honor and courage. Link took a liking to these unusual people. He had never seen such a sight in his life, and he had great respect for these people.
Link lay down on the massive bed of his room, thinking about tomorrow. Darunia had a good plan for sneaking Link and Darmani into the cave, but after that was based purely on hope. Link had no idea what to expect from the cave, and unfortunately, neither did Darunia. Link decided to put aside his worries for the night. He needed to be well rested for tomorrow if he stood even half a chance for the upcoming battle.