Chapter Three: Band of Travellers
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{15-year old Sheik and Link are lounging in a tree}
Sheik: Man, we're so young!
Link: (wistfully) I don't remember ever being fifteen…
Sheik: {Holds open arms} Aww, c'mere…
Reader: {clears throat} A-hem
Link: Oh! {Straightens} Hi!
Sheik: Sheik and Link…
Link: The 17-yr old versions…
Sheik: Were bored…
Link: So they went back to their own fic and left us to do this on our own.
Sheik: Yeah…OracleVortex doesn't own us.
Link: So read on!
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Link blew through the mouthpiece of the ocarina, experimenting with the sounds that came out when he pressed various keys. It has been two weeks since he arrived at Hyrule Castle, but he did little but wait for the King to announce him, and wander among the gardens. It was a cozy place to stay, yes, but it was nothing compared to the Kokiri Forest. Nothing at all. Navi appeared every so often, probably to see if he was all right, but then vanished again for an extended period of time. Even amidst the leafy foliage, Link felt alone.
Link shivered, suddenly exposed in the small grove. Everything was just so strange…it had changed so fast. He wasn't too sure who he was or where he belonged anymore.
A hand rested lightly on hid shoulder. Feeling the familiarity in the touch, Link one of his own hands over top. "Navi…" He started.
"No." Link turned to see Sheik, not Navi. The boy was dressed the same as he had last seen him, dressed all in blue. The scarlet eye at his throat stared out at him, and Link suddenly had the urge to touch it and see if it was as smooth as Sheik's skin.
"Um, sorry." Link blushed, looking down at his shoes. As smooth as Sheik's skin? Where did that come from? "I-uh, thought that…"
The other youth shook his head. "It's all right. How have you been?"
"Fine…I guess." Link said hesitantly. "You?"
Sheik shrugged, gaze on Link. He seemed about to comment on his mood, but decided against it. "About the same. The King wishes to see you." He stated, indicating the way to the throne room.
~*~*~*~
The King sat atop his throne, gravely examining Link from
above meshed fingers. "Child of Destiny, will you do something for me?" He
tilted his head. "For all of Hyrule?"
Link nodded, half bowing. "You need but ask, your Highness."
"Understand that you will be away from the forest for a long while." The King said pointedly.
Link swallowed hard. "That is already inevitable."
The King's eyes were suddenly filled with pity. "I am sorry, son," he said kindly, "But it is your destiny."
"I know."
"Very well. Your quest is as this; go to Darunia in the city of the Gorons. Tell them of our situation and bid him to give you the Goron's Ruby. Also retrieve the Zora's Sapphire from the King of the Zoras. Bring them back to me for safekeeping." The King frowned. "We may yet be able to head this off. Do you understand?"
"Yes, your Highness."
"Good. Take Sheik with you." He indicated the surprised boy standing off to one side. "He will keep me informed on what happens."
Link bowed. "Thank-you your Highness."
"Believe me, Link, thank-you."
~*~*~*~
They left that day, and to neither's surprise, Navi accompanied them as well. They had decided to leave on foot, leaving the royal steeds at the palace in order not to attract attention to their campaign.
"Where will we go first?" Link asked.
Sheik pointed to a mountain, clearly visible in the east. "Goron city is closest. We will go there first." He wore a cloak that most likely doubled as a blanket, and held a leather case. Other than that, he had nothing. Not even a weapon.
Link looked at him in envy, shouldering a pack of food, and shifting his spear under one arm. How wonderful it must be to not need a weapon, let alone carry one wherever you went.
Navi, colourless eyes shifting, bowed to a woman outside the town Gate. Link hadn't even seen her. Her orange-blonde hair was pulled up into a tight bun, and scarlet eyes watched Link carefully. A navy cloak was thrown back from her shoulders, revealing a sleeveless silver turtleneck, bearing the same red eye that Sheik wore. She also wore slim fitting navy pants and black boots to the knee.
"Hello." She said pleasantly.
"Hi." Link replied. Sheik was approaching her, and hugged her. A sharp pang sounded in Link, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"Link," Sheik said, "This is my sister, Shaya." Standing side-by-side, Link could see the resemblance; but something about Shaya was a bit off. He couldn't pin it down.
"Pleased to meet you." Link said, shaking her hand.
'Likewise." Shaya said with a smile.
"She will be coming with us." Sheik said proudly.
"I see." Link fiddled with his spear. Why was she sounding every one of his senses? "Let us leave then." He started walking in the direction of the mountain. Had he looked back, he would have seen the crestfallen look that crossed Sheik's face. Shaya patted his arm reassuringly.
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Yeah, so now the main goal of this story is revealed. Yay!
Sheik: You're quite happy with this, aren't you?
Me: Yep. Especially since you're fifteen…
Sheik: o.O?
Me: And I'm fifteen… {Winks}
Sheik: O.O!
{Link appears}
Link: A-hem…
Me: ^__^;;;;; Sorry…I forgot…you're already spoken for in this story…. whupps. {Walks away muttering} Must write a fic where I get Sheik…
Lol. Sorry that this took longer to get out than I had implied, but my brain was concentration on other Zelda projects. Besides, I had this huge brainstorm, and have a lot of material for the following chapters after this one. I'll try to be quick with writing them.
See ya around!
OV
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