Chapter Five: Around the Campfire

"All together now, little guys!" Daruk boomed. "On top of Death Mountain, two thousand feet tall…we spotted some Guardians, and we busted 'em all!"

Kass looked a little faint at Daruk's choice of campfire song. But most of the kids and the counselors were joining in with undisguised gusto. In fact, it was a safe bet that the singers could be heard all the way from Death Mountain.

"They'd tried to attack us, they'd set up a trap…but we blew them to shrapnel, and sold them for scrap!"

The song ended with a lot of whooping and cheering.

It was the opening night campfire sing-along at Camp of the Wild. Someone had started the bonfire-sized campfire just after dinner, so by the time it was dark out, it was a brisk roaring blaze.

Most of the campers were toasting marshmallows over the fire. Boxes of chocolate bars and Tabantha-wheat crackers were available for those who wanted to make s'mores.

Zelda had brought her lute, Link had an ocarina, Kass had his accordion, and other people around the fire had produced assorted tambourines, hand drums, and other instruments.

"On Top of Death Mountain" was quickly followed by another "mountain" song. "Oh we're climbing Mount Lanayru when we come, oh we're climbing Mount Lanayru when we come, but watch your footing on the summit, take one wrong step and you'll plummet…"

After this song, Impa clapped her hands and got to her feet. "All right, everyone, how're you all doing tonight?"

There was a big cheer. (With one or two grumbles from the more cynical people in the crowd.)

"Just a few announcements. We'll start doing horseback riding and trail rides on Thursday. Swimming lessons are available starting tomorrow. And for team sports, we'll be…"

Some of the campers were having trouble mastering the art of toasting marshmallows. Cottla threw her stick down in frustration after she burned yet another one.

"Cottla, don't hold your marshmallow too close, it'll burn," Koko said.

"This is stupid," Cottla pouted, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Looks like some of you need refills on marshmallows," Daruk boomed. "Who's got the bag?"

"Over here!" Link reared back his arm and threw over the marshmallow bag…and it landed in the fire. "No!"

"Nicely done, Link," Revali said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "This bodes well for when it's time for you to direct the archery practice."

"Shut up, Revali," Link snipped.

"Don't worry, everyone, we've got more," Mipha called.

Another bag of marshmallows was quickly handed around. "Like this," Daruk said, helping Cottla hold her new marshmallow. "That's right. Close enough that'll get nice and toasty."

Meanwhile, Impa was still deep in announcements: "…and you'll find sign-up sheets for all the activities in the recreation pavilion. For first aid, our camp doctor Mipha has asked that we…"

"Impa, the s'mores are getting cold," Purah interrupted.

"Shut up, Purah," Impa retorted. But she took the hint. "We've got a whole summer of fun of us, and we hope you have as much fun as we will. Rhoam, would you like to say anything?"

"Only that I think we need to stop talking and start singing again," Rhoam said from where he sat at the opposite side of the fire circle.

"I'd like to pick the next song," Kass said, picking his accordion back up. "Perhaps a ballad from Hyrule's ancient days?"

"Kass, no offense, you know a lot about ancient ballads," Zelda said. "But ancient ballads usually don't work as campfire songs."

"But the story of the dragon spirits on Mount Lanayru…"

"Definitely not. That song's got twenty verses and too many words, and the melody goes all over the place," Urbosa said.

Kass sighed. "As you wish."

Purah quickly jumped in. "Oh, ninety-nine bottles of potion…"

"Not the ninety-nine bottles song! We'll be here all night otherwise!" Impa groaned.

Instead, Zelda took the lead. "I'm heading for a land that's far away, beyond the Fairy Fountains, so come with me and we'll go and see, that old Satori Mountain…"

"Hey, Zelda, can I borrow your lute?" Link asked once the song was over.

"Sure." Zelda handed over her lute. Link set the ocarina aside, strummed a chord, and began to sing.

"There's a…"

"Stop right there, Link, we distinctly said, no 'Stairway to Skyloft!" Rhoam interjected from the other side of the bonfire. There was some laughter from around the campfire, as someone began playing air guitar.

Link rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever." He handed the lute back to Zelda.

"Oh I'm free, as a Loftwing…" Robbie sang.

"Robbie, that song's banned as well!" Rhoam shouted.

Eventually, after a few false starts, and a few "no way, we're not singing that" moments, another song had started up. "Oh, that Gerudo girl, 'twas her I saw, sipping Noble Pursuits through a straw…"

"All right, you kids, that's very good, but now let's have some real music," Rhoam said once that song was over. With that he launched into a certain sea shanty that had been all the rage in Hyrule recently. "Well, there once was a pirate ship at sea, with a fearsome captain, Tetra was she…"

"Oh, no, not this song again," Revali muttered.

But everyone else was singing along enthusiastically on the chorus: "Soon may the Red Lion come, he'll bring us candy and bubble gum, one day when the voyage is done, to Outset Isle we'll run…"

The campfire gathering continued until it was well and truly dark out, with the night sky above spangled with stars.

"All right, everyone, it's off to bed now." Impa clapped her hands. "Counselors, if you will lead your campers back to their respective cabins, please."

There was some mumbling and grumbling and "I'm not sleepy." But the campers slowly got up and followed the counselors back to their cabins.

xLoZx

Reviews welcome!