Chapter Five

Link awoke early in the morning, excitement pounding in his ears. He swung himself out of bed and grabbed the garb he had adorned, always, while partnered with Midna. He had reverted back to his simply Ordonian fashions during the aftermath, but today was an important day.

He picked up his equipment bag as well, making sure that everything he needed was in there. Lantern, empty bottles, Hero's Bow, Gale Boomerang, the Clawshot…yes, all were accounted for. Link quickly changed into the green accoutrements and shouldered his bag, picking up the Twilight Gemstone necklace and slinging it around his neck, keeping it hidden. He then exited his house, scurried down the ladder, and headed into Ordon Village.

Light was barely tracing the sky, but Link preferred it this way. He did not want his fellows to be seeing him leaving and to question him. He knew one man would be up, though, practicing deft sword movements in the early morning.

Link hurried towards Rusl's house and saw him strolling along the river. 'It must be earlier than I thought,' Link reckoned as he waved to his uncle. Rusl saw him and raised a jovial hand in greeting.

"Rusl, I need to use your, ah, Golden Cuccoo," Link told him, ignoring any pleasantries or preamble.

Rusl looked surprised. "The Golden Cuccoo?" His eyes narrowed. "Is there trouble, Link? Shall I seek Telma?"

Link was about to say "no", but decided it would be best to let Rusl in on this. "Yes. Yes, I think there's trouble, and it would be best if you told Telma and your other friends."

"What's happened?" asked Rusl. "Do you need to return to that—that Sacred Grove?"

"There's an item in there that I need," evaded Link. "And I heard that something odd has been happening in the Desert Province, but it hasn't stopped there. There are these creatures that can't die – or, if they can, it takes them a very long time. They're not ReDeads – they're more like UnDeads," explained Link, feeling his spine grow cold.

Concern flitted onto Rusl's face. "The undead, you say?" He began rummaging in his pocket. "I understand you. I won't ask for more information; here, take this. It's to call the Golden Cuccoo. You know where to go, aye?"

Link nodded, taking the bird call from Rusl. "Yes. Thank you so much. I hate leaving you in the dark, but – "

Rusl held up a hand and smiled gently. "You needn't worry. When the time comes, I will know all that is needed to know. I won't press you."

Link grinned genially. "Well, for what it's worth, thank you again."

He turned and left, hurrying out of Ordon Village to his steed, Epona. She was awake and alert, aware that her master was going to take her somewhere. She pawed the ground nervously, but seemed to calm down when Link untied her and stroked her neck. He stuck his foot in the stirrup and heaved himself over and into the saddle. Link started Epona off walking but, when they entered the Faron Province, he dug his heels into her side and quickly made his way towards the entrance of the Sacred Grove. He dismounted and put the bird call to his lips. The tune rang loud and clear, and soon a Golden Cuccoo was scurrying towards him. Ignoring how ridiculous this looked, Link picked up the Cuccoo and, holding it above his head, he jumped, gliding towards an outjutting of wood. He landed, collected himself, and leapt for another one. Link made his way over to the Sacred Grove without problem, and put the Cuccoo near the entrance, hoping that it would have enough sense to stay there until he came back.

This time, there was no Skull Kid to help him through the strange forest, so Link wandered aimlessly until a few recognizable sites came into view. He explored this place, hoping that his memory was as good as he thought it was, and finally, after a little under an hour, he came upon the Master Sword, resting in its pedestal. He approached it cautiously and, with a sigh, pulled it out, feeling a strange mixture of triumph and defeat. He was the true wielder of this sword, yes; however, he would have to use it to dispel evil, to cut down monsters, to end lives.

As he sheathed it, he noticed that it still glowed with the power of the sols. He strapped it onto his back, transferring his smaller sword into his equipment bag. It took him less time to find the way out than it had to find the way in: when he exited, the Cuccoo was still there; he used it to make his way back to Epona. When he did, he gave the Cuccoo a little pat on the head and mounted the horse. He dug in his heels and they were off, heading towards Lake Hylia.


Hey everybody. It's been a while since I posted on fanfiction (I'm much more active on fictionpress), so I forgot that most people don't know my..."routine", I guess you'd call it.

I publish a chapter once I get at least one review, because then that shows me that people are reading and keeping up with the work. If you review a chapter a few days after it comes out, there's a likely chance that the next chapter will be up the same day.