Chapter 15
By the time night had fallen, Link and the Kokiri had made it safely to the bay, and had set up camp near the waterfall where the beavers lived.
Epona whinnied, throwing around her mane as she stood a little ways away from the hustle and bustle of the Kokiri. She was ready to keep going, but everyone else was tired. The Kokiri weren't used to leaving their forest.
"Hand me that blanket will you Mido?" Saria asked as she sat next to him on a log. She was very cold in her green dress.
"Why should I?" He asked, already leaning over to get the blanket for her.
Mido was mean to everyone except Saria, although he teased her constantly. Saria knew he just didn't want to let his guard down, because then everyone would think he was a big softie.
"Because if I freeze, I'll come back from the dead to haunt you."
Mido grinned, and laid the blanket across her lap. She rested her head on his shoulder, and when she did, Mido tensed.
"Don't worry, everyone else is asleep." Saria grumbled.
With a sigh, he hesitantly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. He felt warmer instantly, and smiled.
"So…so where is this sacred item anyway?" He asked when silence settled in.
Saria laughed at his awkwardness.
"Somewhere at Pinnacle Rock I believe. Link says that because we can't breathe underwater, we have to wear Zora tunics."
"Zora tunics?"
"They help you breathe underwater." Saria explained.
"So that should take a day right? Then why are we here a week?"
"Well for a few reasons. One, because there are sea snakes at Pinnacle Rock. Two, because we can't all go out there at once, so it should take awhile. Third, because Link says we should pace ourselves."
"Saria?" Mido said suddenly.
"Yeah?" Saria breathed, tilting her face up towards his.
She hoped he was finally going to kiss her.
"Promise you'll stay by my side. I don't want you getting hurt."
Although disappointed, Saria plastered a smile onto her face and nodded.
"Sure Mido."
Link tossed and turned on his small mat. It wasn't because of the sand, or the wind, or the fact that his body hardly fit on the small mat. It was because he couldn't sleep without Zelda next to him.
I told myself I wouldn't miss you,
but I remembered,
what it feels like beside you,
I really miss your hair in my face,
and the way your innocence tastes.
"Get a grip Link." He muttered to himself, opening his eyes to look up at the sky. The stars were twinkling in the black blanket above him.
"You slept without her beside you for almost seven years."
But Link knew better. Once he had Zelda, he couldn't just up and forget her. He knew he was headed for long, sleepless nights that week.
In the morning, Link was first to be up and around. He saddled Epona, and watched as all of the Kokiri slowly woke up.
Once he saw Kou getting up, Link went to him.
"Are you ready?" He asked, allowing the boy a few seconds to fully wake up.
"Yeah. I know my way and everything."
Link nodded, and he and Kou went to where Epona waited for them. Kou got up into the saddle by himself, and Link was able to rest assured that he would be okay.
"Tell Zelda that we made camp last night, and that we are heading to Pinnacle Rock today to begin our search." Link rummaged through his tunic and handed Kou a folded piece of paper. "Can you give her this as well?"
Kou nodded, and tucked the paper into his pocket.
"I'll try and be back by nightfall."
"Just be safe."
Link watched Kou ride Epona until they disappeared from sight.
"Link?"
He turned to see Saria standing behind him. She yawned and Link grinned.
"Tired?" He asked.
"Just a little."
"Me too."
Saria knew what he meant, and felt a pang of pity for him. But she knew Zelda would be fine.
"Which of us are you taking with you today?"
"Well I was thinking that I would take you, Mido, Kuro, and Mori. Is that alright with you guys?"
Saria nodded.
"Sure."
"Go and tell them to get ready," Link handed her a stack of blue tunics, "and to meet me by Mikau's grave in a few minutes."
Saria toddled off, and Link went to the rest of the Kokiri.
"Now we don't know when exactly Devika and the Gerudos are going to show up, so there's a possibility that they may find you all. If I'm gone, you will have to battle alone."
"We can do it Link." Maya insisted as she but her blonde hair into buns.
"I know you can. Just make sure that you're keeping a lookout, and that you all are properly equipped."
The Kokiri nodded in agreement, and began to set up watches while Link headed for Mikau's grave.
He remembered finding the nearly dead Zora, and dragging him to the shore. Somehow he had found the strength to play one final song for Link before dying.
He pulled out the Zora mask, remembering the events of the previous day…
FLASHBACK
"Wait here for me, I'll be back soon." Link told the Kokiri. "Saria is in charge while I'm gone."
He headed through the entrance, and looked around him. Nothing had changed in Clock Town, everything was still the same.
The carpenters were busy as usual, but stopped when they saw Link.
"If it isn't Link, the hero." One of them commented loudly, a grin on his face.
"Link? What are you doing back in Termina?"
"Perhaps we can speak later? I have something important to do." Link blushed when they called him the hero.
He quickly walked away, heading to East Clock Town and made his way to the Stock Pot Inn.
Almost instantly, a small girl ran right into Link. He steadied her, and smiled when he saw her purple hair. She was definitely Kafei and Anju's daughter.
"Sorry mister." She squeaked, looking up at him.
"No problem."
"What have I told you about running around inside?" A voice asked.
Link looked up and saw a very pregnant Anju standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips as she looked disapprovingly upon her daughter.
"It's no problem Anju." Link smiled, and watched the little girl skip towards her mom.
"Link? Is that you?" Anju's face brightened, and she walked towards him.
"It is."
"How are you? What brings you to Termina?" She smiled widely at him.
"There's trouble in Hyrule," Link looked around, "is Kafei here?"
"He had to run an errand, but he should be back soon. Come, we can wait for him in the kitchen." Anju turned and walked away.
Link followed, remembering meeting Anju in the kitchen to talk about Kafei when he had first traveled to Termina. He had been twelve years old.
"What trouble is Hyrule in Link?" Anju asked, leaning against the counter.
"The Gerudos have overthrown Hyrule, and their leader is threatening to take over the world."
Anju gasped, and touched her swollen stomach.
"But what about the Sages? What about the Triforce?"
Link smiled, a little pleased that Anju remembered his tales of Hyrule. He was glad she hadn't brought up Zelda. He remembered going on and on about her to Anju a lot as a young kid.
"The Sages have been stripped of their power by Devika. She has two pieces of the Triforce."
"Two pieces? But I thought you and Princess Zelda had pieces."
"Devika stole Zelda's piece." Link said mournfully, remembering how much pain she had been in.
Anju's face fell.
"I'm sorry Link. How is Princess Zelda?"
"She, Nabooru, and the Gorons have gone to the mountains."
Before Anju could question him again, Kafei waltzed into the kitchen carrying a bag. He looked at Anju, and then to Link. He did a double take.
"Link?" He asked, smiling.
"It is." Link nodded, blushing again.
"What brings you here Link?" Kafei asked, standing beside his wife.
"Kafei, do you remember how I gave you my masks after I left Termina?"
Kafei nodded.
"I need one of them."
"Of course Link. Follow me."
"It was nice seeing you Anju. Congratulations." Link nodded to her stomach as Anju gave him a quick hug.
"Thank you Link. Be careful."
Link nodded, and followed Kafei up the stairs and into he and Anju's room. Kafei went to a chest near their bed, and looked through it.
"Which one do you need Link?" He asked.
"My Zora mask."
"Ah." Kafei pulled out the mask, blowing the dust from it.
Link hadn't seen the mask in a while. He stared at it as Kafei handed it to him. Its black eyes were lifeless and a bit frightening. The skin was a greenish-white color.
"Are you leaving now?" Kafei asked.
"I must." Link sighed.
"Be careful Link."
"I will."
Kafei patted him on the shoulder, and the two went to the door.
"Angela, what are you doing?" Kafei asked as he watched his daughter playing with a wooden sword.
"Fighting." She answered, continuing her little dance around the room.
Link chuckled, and pulled from his tunic his old scabbard. He always carried it with him in case he would need it.
"Here," Link handed it to her, "a sword needs a resting place."
"Thanks mister." Angela smiled, and shoved her sword into the scabbard.
END OF FLASHBACK
Link looked down at the mask in his hands as the Kokiri who would be joining him walked up.
"We're ready Link." Saria told him.