I'm switching over to a third person style of writing. I'm sorry about the quick switch, and I know it'll be an odd transition, but since my last update I've discovered third person to be so much better for this kind of writing.

Chapter 7: City of the Gorons

Link stood before the large gate that barred the entrance to Death Mountain. Behind the gate, he could make out the tip of the mountain just above the virtual canyon of the carved path and the natural rock formations.

Behind him, Sudaku and Malon stood side by side, as if awaiting him to make the first move. However, this wasn't the case.
"Link," spoke Sudaku, "I won't be joining you guys. I'd rather not elaborate on why, but... I just can't help you out on Death Mountain. I need to stay in Kakariko for a while."

Malon opened her mouth, as if to question why, but Link held out his hand to signal her to stop. It seemed the events of the night previous had matured everyone to their thresholds. Link had barely spoken a word all day. If fact, he hadn't spoken at all for the entire night while he watched over Malon. He'd been almost obsessive, offering up only nods or waves when Sudaku came in to check on him.

"Don't worry about it, Sudaku," Link's words were short, and his voice seemed dry from unuse. He turned to Malon. "And you, Malon... please wait here with Sudaku. I can't risk you getting hurt again."

Malon stepped forward, and clasped the front of Link's shirt. "I'm going with you," she said with surprising confidence, "I don't care what you say. As long as I'm with you, no one can hurt me." She gave a smile that shocked Link. He hugged her tightly.

"Stay close."

So it was that Link and Malon began to travel along the path winding up Death Mountain. As the left, Sudaku once again was flooded with a sense of envy. He'd always longed for something like that with Lani and himself. However, Lani's father had forbidden them from becoming intimately involved.

In all truth, Sudaku was not well liked by the town of Kakariko. Part of this was because of his recklessness. He was always getting into things that interested him. Another reason was his lineage: being a town founded by Shiekah, his exile from his Shiekah clan had earned him a nasty reputation around town.

Then there was the final reason. Sudaku glanced at his katana, which still hung limply from his waist. This blade was his family's sword for centuries. But there was a dark secret to this weapon, and to his exile. A dark look came over Sudaku's face. "I'm sorry," he muttered to himself, "but you guys can't find out. I won't lose everyone... not again." Sudaku turned, and made his way back towards the cemetery...

Meanwhile, Link and Malon had made their way past several spider-like creatures, up the mountain. Link crept around the corner, and saw what seemed to be a breathing rock residing on the mountain. "That's a Goron, Link," mentioned his fairy, who had been uncharacteristically quiet recently, "They live off the rocks in Dodongo Cavern, but... It should be right behind that Goron." Navi landed on Link's shoulder, and flapped her little wings. "Link, we should get up into the Goron's village," Navi said, slightly scared. She snuck up under his hat, and they began to move again.

They did not spot monsters but eventually came to another cave. This one had a huge set of doors that were swung wide open for all to see, framed in primitive, yet strangely beautiful artwork. Navi immediately recognized this as Goron architecture. "This must be it," she guided him.

Malon was sweating, not used to the physical exertion of climbing such steep slopes. Although a definite path was carved, the path was steep at points. Even for a physically well-fit farm girl, she was more accustomed to the plains of her farm. She could almost smell Epona now, and feel the soft mane underneath her fingertips.

Link's voice snapped her back to reality. "Malon, wait outside," he said simply, "I'll call you in when it's safe." Malon huffed, and gripped Link's arm. "No," she said with determination, her hands quickly groping at Link's butt, "I'm going in."

Suddenly, he realized the reason for the sudden grip. She'd stolen his slingshot! "I used to practice with fake targets back home," she said with a smirk, "so I think this is mine now."

Link rolled his eyes, and ventured into the dark doorway.

There was only a moment of darkness, and then Link's vision lit up. He blinked his eyes to adjust to the changes in the Link. There was an aura about the place that made his skin tingle. He could almost dance to a feeling like this. But alas, Link was a terrible dancer.

The place was built in levels. It was entirely circular: perfect for a rolling race like the Gorons. The place was completely devoid of any water, and yet there seemed to be no humidity within the stone building. It was actually quite crisp and lukewarm.

The pair continued inwards, and eventually came to a large door, with the same ornate markings as the entrance door. "You can't go in there…" spoke a deep, weary voice, "Only Big Boss can open that door, and he's inside with the Ruby. He says he won't come out until the Royal Family sends aid."

Link heaved a sigh, and reached for his Ocarina. He already knew what needed to be done. He played the song that Impa had taught him in the castle. The doors creaked open and Link stepped inside. He turned suddenly. "Keep watch, Malon. I need to make sure the door isn't blocked if their leader gets angry."

Malon nodded. She'd heard him be serious before, but talking strategy with Link was altogether foreign. She knew that he meant the best, but after the ordeal in town, she couldn't be sure he wouldn't try to kill the Gorons if they tried to hurt her. A part of her didn't believe that he could do something that drastic, but somehow he had seemed a natural with a sword. He'd effortlessly dispatched the Tektites on the way up the mountain, and had incapacitated her captors in town.

Malon heaved a sigh similar to Link's. "Alright," she said, "I love you." He smiled his ever-familiar smile at her. "I love you too, Malon," he replied, "Now keep watch. I'm going in."