"Hey Link, how's life treating ya?" The shiekah waved in greetings.
No. Way.
Is he–?
That's not Zelda if that's what you're wondering. I still sense her presence at the castle.
Link lowered his hands, "Not as well as I would like…."
Shiek walked over and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "I wouldn't believe so, with half the kingdom after your head!"
"Tch, I thought those Royals took care of you," Mido growled, putting his hands to his hips.
Link gave Mido a cold look, but blinked in surprise when that made the other flinch.
"Mido," Shiek warned, "Just get the horse's reins…" he turned back to Link, "Come on, there's someone I know wants to see you."
With a wave of his hand he guided Link through the log entrance. The hero's eyes widened as he stepped into his once familiar village. Tents made of a rough green cloth were set up everywhere among the smaller Kokiri dwellings. People of all races scurried about doing errands and talking amongst themselves. If everyone weren't wearing green Link would have thought he was back at the Gerudo fortress. The clamor in the clearing grew quiet as he and Shiek approached, which immediately grew to tremendous proportions once they passed. Shiek looked sidelong at Link in time to see him fidget. He smiled and leaned in a little closer.
"Don't mind the peanut gallery. It's been a while since anyone's seen your face, many of them thought you were dead."
"I might as well have been," Link whispered back.
"Huh?"
"Well I… I don't remember much before two days ago…."
"Jeez," Shiek grunted, "What did they do to you now? Brainwash you?"
Now where have I heard that before?
Din's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"No matter, I'll fill you in on anything you may need to know."
How's about how you exist? Link muttered in his head.
Ruto's spell or the curse, just like everything else. Why is this any different?
I'm beginning to suspect changes in people. But Sheik's not a change in a person; he's a completely new one.
Sister… I… I need to speak with you.
Farore, you used a lot of energy back there, you should get some rest.
No Din, this can't wait.
Fine then, what is it?
Not here… not out in the open…Ooooookay… Link, you think you can handle us being gone for a bit?
Sure.
Link felt the Goddesses' presence vanish as Shiek brought him to the largest structure in the area: his old tree house. It had been built up and expanded all around, the tree ending up at its center. Shiek knocked on the elaborately carved door.
"It's Shiek. I need to speak with Saria, and I brought a guest."
The door opened and a young woman with large yellow pigtails peered out. Link recognized her as one of the original Kokiri of his childhood.
"Shiek… You know Saria is very busy–" Her eyes grew wide and she placed a hand over her mouth as she saw who was behind the Shiekah, "Oh Goddess… oh… oh Link! It's… It's… Come in! Come in. I'll get Saria!"
Shiek chuckled a bit as she ran off and pushed Link inside. On one side of the room sat a large table with the map of Hyrule laid out across it. Small flags of Red, green, blue, and yellow were strewn about it. At the back of the room was the tree to his house, ladder leading up to the top floor. There was a scrambling noise and then a flash of green dropped down from above and tackled Link.
"Oh Link! I was so worried! It's been so long!"
"Told you she'd want to see you," Shiek laughed.
Saria backed off, tears of joy in her eyes and a huge smile on her face. She looked almost the same as before, just in an older package. Link smiled back at her.
"It has been a while…."
The SAGE began to fuss with Link's hair and clothes much like a concerned mother.
"Thank the Goddesses, you look no worse for wear…."
Shiek scratched his head, "Not quiet, he seems to be suffering from a memory problem."
Saria looked up at Link's face with a concerned expression, "Really? Well… if there's anything you want to know just ask."
"Okay," Link looked around at the structure, "Let's start with what's all this? Who are all these people?"
Clinging to Link's arm, Saria pulled him over to the table with the map and sat him down on one of the chairs. Shiek sat on the other side of the Kokiri.
"To others we are known as the Resistance, a collection of Kokiri and other races who act on the truth. We oppose the Royals, support Ganondorf, and believe in sparing your life. We strongly believe you were forced into the job and all blame should be placed on the Hyrule Royal Family. Originally it was only the Kokiri, since we were there when they took you away… but word got out and so many people have joined our cause, even some Gerudos!" Saria smiled, "Many of them have even gone through the ritual and have become honorary Kokiri!"
She gave Shiek a look, who rolled his eyes in response.
"Here we go again…" He muttered.
"I'm sure the Great Deku Tree would accept you instantly, even though you are a non-believer."
"I am not eating some hallucinogenic drug that breaks the blood vessels in your cheek that happen to make a mark that resembles a fairy."
"It's not a drug! If you are worthy the Great Deku Tree sends you visions of times past, present, and yet to come!"
"Look… I'm not going to perform the ritual. I'm proud enough to wear the armband," He pointed to a green strip of cloth wrapped around his arm with the embroidered likeness of a fairy, "Get off my case."
Saria sighed and turned back to Link, "You see this map?" She gestured to the map of Hyrule; "It shows the positions of the four prominent groups in the Kingdom. Red for Gerudo, Yellow for Royal, Blue for Zora, Green for Kokiri. Shiek's team goes out to collect the data for the Zora and Gerudo."
"And Auntie Impa gives us the reports on the Royals!" Sheik said.
Link blinked at this, "'Auntie' Impa?"
Shiek smiled sheepishly, "She's not really my Aunt… I just call her that because she's like family to me, she taught me everything I know."
"By the way Shiek," Saria pointed at his face; "You left your wrappings on again."
"Hm?" He blinked, "Oh, right. I was on guard duty today…."
With practiced swiftness the Shiekah took of the cloth hiding his face. Link stared; the boy's face was almost identical to Zelda's. He wasn't really surprised by this fact, it was just kind of startling.
"You look like you could be Zelda's twin…."
Both Saria and Shiek froze, adopting a striking resemblance to startled cats. Link looked at them oddly.
"What?"
Shiek bit his lip and stood up, walking over to the other side of the room.
"You don't remember?" Saria asked quietly.
"I've already told you I don't remember much."
"Well… if you do… don't talk about it here."
"Huh?"
"No one here would take too kindly to one of noble blood–"
"You mean he is!"
"Shh! Please be quiet Link!"
The sound of the door opening caused both of them to look up in time to see Shiek leave. Saria's voice was low when she turned back to Link.
"His family disowned him when he spoke out against his family for your cause. It's a touchy subject for him… And don't tell this to anyone, they'll all turn on him if they knew. We're his only family now."
"I… I'm sorry… That was stupid of me."
"No, it's fine. Now tell me, what brings you back to the Lost Woods?"
"I need to use the underwater passage to get deep into Zora's domain."
Saria cocked an eyebrow, "Really? Dangerous territory. What for?"
"I need to find Dark Link."
Saria was silent for a moment, staring at him with huge eyes, "… Wh… What do you want to find… him for?"
"He has taken someone very dear to me."
Her eyes suddenly grew cold, "Dear to you? Who is it?"
"No one you'd know."
"I know many things."
"I really doubt you'd know her."
"So it is a girl," Saria said quietly, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Saria… please… don't do this…."
"How long ago did you meet her? Is she pretty? Does she care for you the way I do?"
"It's not like that, she's just a good friend."
"Everyone's just a 'good friend' to you aren't they!"
Link slammed his hands down on the table, knocking some of the flags over, "PLEASE. Just show me how to get into Zora's Domain."
Lips pressed thinly together, Saria got up and walked over to a bookshelf near the table. It was filled with rolled up scrolls and old leather-bound tomes. She pulled out one of the scrolls and laid it down on the table, brushing away stray flags.
"As you can see, this is a map of the shortcut," She pointed to the small pond then traced a straight blue line to another pool, "This was the original path as you remember. To gain access to various Zora regions we have added many small tunnels," She ran her finger over five other lines coming from the pool, each leading to a different part of the map, "They are unknown as of yet to the Zora. Now… you said D-… he is here somewhere?"
"Yes."
"Well with the recent activity there I'm sure he's been captured. This tunnel," Saria pointed at one lined in red, "Goes straight to the dungeons. It is labeled by a red marker in the pool. Just follow it and you'll end up in the center of the dungeons, away from most of the guards. The exit is concealed by a rock door that blends in with the wall, you'll see it when you come up for air."
Link's eyes ran across the map, "There are a lot of cells down there, how will I be able to tell which one has them?"
"The one with the guard of course. Defeat him as quickly as possible or he'll sound the alarm."
"Thank you," Link stood up, "I should go now."
"Already? It's starting to get dark."
"I have to, it's a matter between life and death."
"Fine," Saria stood up as well, "Take Shiek with you. He doesn't have to follow you into the domain, but at least have him be a lookout for your escape route."
"Sure," Link turned to her; "I'll see you soon."
She hugged him close, "Take care."
"I will."
He pulled himself out of her grip and exited through the door. Shiek was leaning against a small hill thoughtfully strumming his harp. The Shiekah looked up as Link approached.
"Done catching up already?
"Yeah… Let's go."
"Huh?" Shiek stood up, "What do you mean?"
"I'm going to Zora's Domain. Saria's asked that I take you with me."
"Oh… okay."
They were silent until they passed into the woods. Link glanced around at the dense wall of trees that surrounded them.
"Are the Lost Woods as empty as I remember them?" He asked.
Shiek eyed him thoughtfully, "If you mean empty of people, then yes. The forest's maze-like qualities still keep people away."
"Good…" Link continued forward, "Look… I want to apologize for earlier. I truly don't remember, but that was stupid of me… I'm sorry…."
With a small chuckle Shiek placed a hand on Link's shoulder, "It's really no problem… There… was really no way you'd remember anyway… You only saw me once when I was a prince."
"… If it's not too painful, I'd like to hear about it… You know, to refresh my memory and all."
They passed through another log and Shiek ran a hand through his hair. He took a deep breath.
"I was there the day my father's soldiers brought you in… You passed Zelda and me when they pushed you through the halls. That was the first time you saw either of us.
My sister was the favored child since she bore the Triforce… I was pretty much ignored. I spent my time with Impa; she cared for me when my real family didn't. She took me to your cell when you were locked away. She wanted me to see the cruelty of my family. I felt horrible. Against my father's wishes I began to aid Impa in taking care of you. I know it sounds silly, but every day I would come to your cell and sit, straining my ears to catch some sort of noise so I would know you were still alive. Then one day I found a hole in the stone, it led straight into the chamber. So I whispered into the crack," He smiled, and chuckled a little at the thought, "Hey, hey boy! Can you hear me? Hey!"
Link stared at him, mouth agape, "You…" A large grin broke out across his face and he began to laugh, "You were Navi?"
"Ah, yes… that was my name back when I was royalty… I only spoke to you for a few years… the rest was all in your mind."
"What made you stop?"
Shiek grew solemn, "My father found me whispering to you. He was furious. I tried to tell him what we were doing to you was atrocious, but he wouldn't listen. Instead he disowned me and banished me from the castle. So I became a Shiekah, adopted the not-so-creative name of Shiek, and vowed to help you as much as I could."
We're back Link, what'd we miss?
Link smirked, Let's see… The Kokiri are practically a cult… Shiek is Zelda's twin who was disowned for showing concern for me and-oh-did I mention his real name is Navi?
Din burst up laughing.
Oh my God! Are you serious!
Yep.
Wow… all things considered, these changes sure can be amusing!
Shiek and Link stepped into the clearing where the shortcut to Zora's Domain lay. Colored dots were painted on stones encircling the clear waters.
Soo… what were you guys talking about?
We think we know who this curse is! Isn't that right Farore?
There was a pause and Link stopped in his tracks. Shiek stopped too, giving him a questioning look.
"Something wrong?" He asked
Farore? Farore… where are you going?
The goddess materialized on the other side of the pond, perching on the cold stone. Shiek let out a startled gasp and stumbled back.
Link's eyes widened as he noticed her legs were stone, "No."
Din appeared over his shoulder, "Sister!" She cried.
Farore closed her eyes, "Strengthen the barrier… I cannot help him anymore…."
A tear slid down her cheek as the petrifying curse claimed her. Link cried out as the cold pain once again flooded his mind, but this time only for a moment. The red aura that had surrounded him and Din for that brief moment faded. She clutched her shoulders tightly.
"This is bad…."
Link looked up at the little Goddess, she was shaking. He sighed.
"We need to get moving… you could be taken at any moment."
A noise made the two of them look behind them. Shiek was on the ground, staring up at them with large, frightened eyes. Link gave him a week smile.
"Sheik… meet Din, the great Goddess of Power… my last protector against this false world."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opia: ... Whooookay... it's been a while hasn't it? Oops, sorry...
Cari: You better be sorry.
Opia: Yeah... the most recent trouble is me really just focusing on my art more and transfering to a Mac laptop (loads of hate for this process) for College. Busy busy is me.
Cari: Whatever.
Opia: Unfortunately there is no chance of me updating this quickly after this chapter because... I haven't written a word after this yet and I am just now getting back into a writing phase... so any of you who are still reading this (you have no idea how much I love you) I'm really sorry and I'll try to update as soon as I can. I just have to modivate myself using the fact that some of the upcoming scenes that I actually have planned I'm really looking forward too... Please bear with me until then, thanks.