A/N: I'm sorry! First, my computer crashes, then when we fix that, wouldn't upload it, then I went through a long bit of writer's block with 38 and 39, and then I tried again, only to find that AOL goes on the fritz! I try it again and not working again. Finally, now it's uploaded! Problem is, Word's not working so I have to proofread it myself, so if there's any errors, I apologize. And now it's not putting in the break things!
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Chapter Thirty-Seven - Darunia
"Ha! What did I tell you? You can't change his fate."
The icy voice replied, "That was just a small attempt. Trust me, when Dark Link finishes up his task, you'll see what we can do."
"Oh," the third voice said happily, "speak of the devil!"
"I see you two are still trapped," Dark Link commented.
"Only because you haven't killed that old man over there."
"Well, it's good to see you as well, Sage."
"I wish I could say the same to you. Not going to off me now are we?"
"Nah, I don't want to risk it. Everything's going so perfectly now."
"Foolish shadow!" the third voice cried. "Kill him and set us free!"
"And why would I kill a fat old man who's imprisoned himself?" Dark Link asked. "Oh no, that wouldn't do. I came here to borrow your magic pool of water." Dark Link walked into the ring of light and to the side of the water. He ran his darkened fingers across the water and it shifted, changing until it showed a castle room, deserted except for a young man rising from the bed. "Perfect..."
Link stood slowly, deciding that it would be better to get out of bed now that he was awake. Nice wake-up call, though. He chuckled quietly as he walked over to the mirror, attempting to tame his hair.
If this is what happens when I save her life, I might need to go and remind her of some of my other adventures with her. On a more serious note, though, I am glad she opened up. Maybe now things'll calm down around here. Maybe now I can stop playing dumb.
Giving up on his hair, he walked over to the solitary table and immediately groaned. "How could I forget about this?" He scooped up the map and rushed out of his room.
"Now, where's Zelda..?" he asked himself as he wandered the corridors.
"Off looking for the Queen?" Impa asked as Link passed by.
He stopped and turned to her. "Yeah. Have you seen her?"
"After a repeat of earlier?"
"Please, explain to me how in the world you know about everything that goes on in this castle?"
"I'm a Sheikah; it's what I do. Now, why are you chasing after her highness?"
Link tossed the map at Impa. "I need to tell her about this. Ganon's amassing a force somewhere and plans to attack sometime soon."
"Well, this is something that I did not know of. Care to explain how you found out about this?"
"I'd rather not say. It'd throw doubt on the truthfulness of it."
Impa nodded. "Well I'm sure Zelda will accept it without a shadow of a doubt. I would appreciate it if you'd let me take it to her."
Link shrugged. "Alright. Tell her I said hi."
Impa nodded. "Okay."
"Oh, and if she asks, tell her I'm on official business and I shall return before nightfall."
--
Zelda ran her finger across the table, tracing the intricate design that the master craftsman had carved into it. As she moved her finger along the pattern, a trickle of water filled the gap. She smiled as the water ended up doubling back on itself.
"My Queen?" Impa asked, watching Zelda play with the table.
"Oh, Impa. Hi," Zelda replied distractedly, not looking up from the table.
"Daydreaming again, are we?"
"Yeah, I admit it. I've had such a wonderful day, after all."
"You were kidnapped this morning..."
"I know, but Link more than made up for it."
"Oh really? That good, hmm?"
"Don't get me started... Now, was there something you needed."
"Bad news, I'm afraid."
"Did Link empty out the kitchens again?"
"Ganon is amassing a force large enough to crush Hyrule with ease." She handed Zelda the map.
Zelda dried the water and spread it on the table. She quickly looked over Link's notes before looking back at Impa. "Why didn't Link bring this? It's his handwriting."
"He said he was attending to some official business. I assumed that you had sent him somewhere."
Zelda shook her head. "Did he say when he will return?"
"Before dark."
"Okay. Now, what else did Link tell you about Ganon and this 'invasion' idea of his?"
--
Link groaned as he pulled himself up the ledge. He stood and looked up the high mountain. Deciding that the Hero of Time title needed to be abbreviated and "Mountain-climber" needed to be added so he'd know what he'd be getting himself into, he sighed and jumped up, grabbing the ledge above him.
It turned out that the ledge wan't as sturdy as he had thought. He felt it give under his weight and send him falling back down to the ledge below. He winced as a sharp rock jabbed him in his spine. He sat up and dug around in his bag for something useful.
"Oh come on!" Link shouted, flinging the bag against the mountain wall. "There's got to be something!"
As he said that, there was a rumble and part of the mountain slid open. A Goron stuck its head out. "Goro?"
"Oh, thank you!" Link shouted, greatly relieved, rushing over to the Goron. "Can you take me to Darunia?"
"Sure, goro. Anything for you. Mind your head, now, goro."
Link crawled into the tunnel after grabbing his bag. He followed the Goron into the mountain. The Goron led him around the tunnel, through branching tunnels, and even down a steep incline. After a few minutes of crawling around in the darkness, the Goron, already barely visible, vanished from sight. Link stopped.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, goro! Come on! Jump down!"
"Bombs away," Link muttered and jumped down.
Link fell and landed in another dark tunnel, although this one was taller and wider, so Link could easily stand up. The Goron started moving instantly and Link chased after him.
After a minute or so, they came to a large door. The Goron pushed it and it rose. Instantly, Link's vision was flodded by hundreds of Gorons everywhere doing everything. It seems that the Goron City had become quite a bustling city. The Goron led Link to a large decorated door. It slid open and Link walked in.
"Link!" a gruff voice shouted. "Good to see you!" A large Goron walked up to Link. Darunia laughed, the rocky protrusions around his tough face shifting and pushing against one another. Attempting to pat Link on the shoulder, Link instead found himself pounded a foot into the ground by the Goron's muscular arms. Link pulled himself out of the ground.
"Well met, Darunia. How are you?"
"I'm doing quite well, actually. Some of my Brothers needed a place to stay, so the City's quite stocked with Gorons, as I'm sure you saw."
"Yeah, I noticed."
"It is nice of you to stop by for a visit. Come, let us walk." Darunia stood beside the large throne and slammed into it with such force that there was an audible crash that had to have been heard by everyone else in the city. The throne gave way and slid to the side, revealing a tunnel.
"Coming?"
Link walked over to the tunnel and was almost bowled over by the intense heat. "Man, that's hot!"
Darunia laughed. He walked over to one of the tables and tossed Link a red tunic that was laying on it. "There, try that!"
Link slid the tunic on and the temperature around him was cut in half. "Nice." He followed Darunia into the tunnel, which felt quite comfortable.
"The majesty of Death Mountain!" Darunia roared over the volcano, his voice echoing into the crater. The lave churned below them as Darunia kicked a boulder into the volcanic depths.
Darunia turned to Link. "Care for a swim?" He laughed at the look of horror on Link's face.
"I-I think I'll leave that to the Subrosians," Link replied.
"Oh, there's probably a few of them in there somewhere. One of my cousins drug a bunch with him here."
Link looked over the edge, scanning for the trademark green hooded cloak of the Subrosians. Not seeing any, he shrugged and stepped back from the edge.
"Now, my Brother, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"A favor, eh? Well, we certainly owe you a few of those, that's for sure! What is it you need?"
"Well, you remember Ganon, right?"
At the mention of Ganon, Darunia turned his head and spat into the volcano. "That foul beast. I remember him well. What about him?"
"He's gathering an army and from what I've heard, it's big enough to overrun the castle."
"That foul, heartless, gutless, yellow-bellied, thieving, murdering, idiotic, weak, worthless, dishonorable..." At this point Darunia lapsed into a language Link didn't recognize. He rumbled out ten or twelve words in that language and growled once he stopped. "I assume that this is what you need?" he asked, returning to a language Link understood. "Help with the foul Gerudo's invasion?"
"If possible."
"Well, you have as many able-bodied Gorons as I can round up!"
"Your help is greatly appreciated."
"Just give us an hour's notice and we'll show Ganon why he doesn't mess with a Sworn Brother of the Gorons!"
"Great!"
Darunia shoved a boulder out of the way and led Link up to the surface, outside of the mountain. He yawned and looked around. "Nightfall already? Time flies, right?"
Link froze. "Oh great..."
"Something wrong, my Brother?"
"I told Impa to tell Zelda that I'd be back by dark. She's probably starting to worry about me."
Darunia laughed. "Well, you better hurry along then. Poor men we'd be if we let the women worry."
Link jumped and slid down the side of the mountain. "Say hi to Link for me!"
"Will do, Brother! Return the courtesy to the Queen!"
"Alright!" Link saw the bottom fast approaching and braced himself for it. He impacted, the force of the ground shooting up his legs. He shrugged the momentary jolt aside and started the trek to the castle.
He silently strode through the darkened Kakariko Village. With noone in sight, not even the depressed kid that was ususally near the tree, Link was on his guard. He knew this town was never quiet, and he was glad when he passed the gate and down the staircase that was carved into the hill.
Unbeknowenced to Link, a pair of crimson red eyes watched his every move through the town. With catlike reflexes, the owner of the crimson eyes jumped quietly off of the roof and followed Link, staying a safe distance away.
As Link crossed the small bridge, he had that uneasy feeling that someone was watching. Thinking fast, he walked toward a large open space, which were plentiful in Hyrule Field. As soon as he heard that rustle of grass that always indicated a footstep, he spun around.
"So, we meet again. I figured you were gone with the curse."
"Oh no, Link, I would never dare leave," the cloaked stranger replied. "Besides, I just thought I'd drop by and say hello, since it has been so long."
"Well, hello to you too."
The stranger's crimson eyes stared into Link, as if delving through him. "I also thought I'd offer my congratulations as well."
"Congratulations? For what?"
"For you and the Queen, of course."
"How many people know about that! It's not even been a full day!"
"I know everything that happens around the castle. It's what I do."
"You know, coincidentally, Impa said almost exactly the same thing. Of course, you wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?"
The stranger shrugged. "I have a few con- wait... You haven't connected the dots yet, have you?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
The stranger let the cloak fall from his shoulders. He tilted his head back, the hood slipping off his head and falling behind him.
Before Link stood a young man dressed in what appeared to be a ninja suit. His face was covered, save for his eyes and the bit of blonde hair sticking out. There was no identifying markings except for the large symbol emblazoned upon the front of his suit. It was the symbol of the Sheikah, a giant red eye with a large red tear falling from it. Above the eye were three red triangles taking the place of eyelashes.
"A Sheikah? I thought Impa was the last one."
"Trust me, it's complicated. But for now, just assume I'm one as well. Name's Sheik."
"Well, it's nice to have a name to attach to the mysterious cloaked swordfighting stranger."
Sheik laughed. "Well, I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking. Might even show up a bit more. You might want to get going, though. I'm sure Zelda is worried sick."
Link nodded. "Well, it's nice seeing you without a sword between us."
"Agreed. Now, get going!"
Link nodded and sped off toward the castle.
Link pushed open the castle door and was barely in before Zelda slammed into him and grabbed him in a fierce hug.
"You're safe! Oh, I was so worried! I thought something had happened to you."
Link returned the hug. "Well, don't worry. I'm alright. I didn't mean to be out later than dark, but I got a little sidetracked."
"Where did you go?" Zelda asked, releasing him.
"Impa told you about Ganon, right?" When Zelda nodded, he continued, "I went to talk to Darunia about reinforcements and tomorrow I plan to talk to King Zora about the same. Darunia also send his greetings."
"Oh, okay. And on that note, I've sent scouts to see what they can figure out. You wouldn't be able to find out anything more from this mysterious contact of yours, could you?"
Link laughed. "We'd have an easier time getting Ganon to dance with Naboruu."
Zelda nodded. "Okay then. Well, I'm tired, so I'm going to go to sleep. You should too if you plan to talk to King Zora."
"Okay. I guess I shall see you tomorrow, then."
"Deal."
Link watched as Zelda walked off to her room. Link waited a second more before heading to his.
