Chapter 9: The Zola

Link approached the castle, mask bumping softly against his nose. The path was as guarded as ever. He had exhausted his want for adventure and merely wanted to head inside. He could possibly have a chat with Zelda in the well insulated castle. The guard stiffened at the sight of Link and asked his business there. Link lifted his mask slightly and the the guard nodded, planting his spear into the ground, signaling the gate to open. He felt full of energy, ready to run up the walls of the castle to Zelda's window without the aid of any special equipment. Reminded of the incident at the milk caf? Link took out a bottle, glinting in the dim moonlight. The hero entered through the front gate of the castle examining the object, turned into a corridor to his left and realized that some of the torches weren't lit. Link couldn't exactly pull out his bow and relight them; he wasn't out to save anyone and the arrows were hazardous if they managed to land on the grand red carpet. Link continued on, thankful that his long time in dungeons had got him used to dark areas.

The corridor seemed to grow colder. Was this the way to his room? Link shivered a bit and sneezed. The small seizure forced Link's eyes shut. Upon reopening them, a figure slid into existence. It seemed to pour itself into the hallway, making odd blinking noises as if its eyelids were made of... scales? Claws clicked on the stone corridor's walls, the silhouette of a tongue licked the air, and a tail thunked playfully on the floor. Link quickly threw off his cloak and drew his sword and shield. He didn't have the hands open to take off the mask. The reptilian figure had rattling breath. Dry, bony breath that bespoke nothing but lack of humanity.

The creature laughed a hollow laugh and spoke with a rasping voice. "Ah, what a funny mask. I like it, though I wonder who the man was that it was modeled after..." Link lowered into a full-on combat stance, ready to take him on. "I suppose the Hero of Time has low self esteem... Or perhaps he is hiding?" Link tensed his grip on the weapons in hand. "Ah, Hero, do not fear." Bowing, it slipped its breath into the ears of the man before him once more, "I am a friend. Currently, under the species of Zola, the freshwater Zora. Commonly referred to as monsters because they have a nasty habit of shooting fireballs at passerby. I have been watching you from a safe distance. I know your experience with creatures of the likewise appearance." Link shifted. He'd heard of the Zora's distaste for the Zola. "I apologize for the dim lighting," he continued, "I was afraid that if you saw me right away you would slay me on the spot. There is no need, I bear no grudge against you. In fact," The Zola pulled out a flute-like object, "I come bearing gifts. If you'd follow my lead."

The fishlike man beckoned with his claws and played his flute. The sound reverberated through Link's ears in a familiar and nostalgic way. The tune lifted Link's spirits and he tasted the LonLon Milk he recently downed. That tune... "Hmm, Hero? What do you think? You recognize it, correct?" Link gulped, still not ready to lower his defenses. "My flute playing isn't ithat/i bad, is it?" The figure lowered its head, "I practiced a lot, c'mon, you have to know what it is!" Link gazed in awe at the monster's childish nature. It seemed familiar... Almost familiar as the tune. Link nodded and sheathed his weapon, simultaneously fixing his shield to his back. Link searched through his tunic, fumbling around his bombs and bottles until he withdrew the Ocarina of Time. Putting the instrument to his lips, he played the same tune. The Zola hopped awkwardly in what seemed like joy, "Yes, yes! Of course, iEpona's Song/i!" Link's eyes widened as he surveyed the mysterious monster in front of him. A sound burst into his hearing range. A familiar click-clack against stone.

Link's eyes were stretching open almost until he feared his eyelids would rip off his head. The Zola laughed heartily, "Yes, yes! Good job! Now, if you'd follow me in!" Link hadn't been paying attention to much more than the Zola, so he didn't notice the door behind the monster. The creature opened it and seemed to beckon Link inside. "You know, I'm cold blooded right now, so it would be a good idea to get out of the cold corridor." A blast of warm air greeted Link as well as the familiar hairy lips tickling his palm. A whinny embraced his ear and Link grabbed hold of the neck of the friendly beast he knew was Epona. Epona reached her neck around Link's head and whinnied softly. Link, stroking the horse's neck, was laughing merrily from her lips tickling his own neck. The Zola surveyed, expression deemed worthless to the lack of light. He seemed to be in good spirits, because he laughed and spoke once more. "Alright, alright, you two, please join me inside." Link clapped Epona's back a couple times and she backed herself into the room. As Link got up, the zola whispered to him, as if Epona would hear him, "She was a real pain to get into the door..."

Link's eyes were greeted by a dim fireplace and the smell of cooking meat coming from a pot situated on said fireplace. The outline of a bed was hazy against the brown wooden floor. Link sat down on the bed as the Zola closed the door behind him and locked it. Link thought about drawing his sword. "No, no, as you see, I merely want to talk to you in private. Who knows who might be listening? You understand, right?" Link nodded. "I can see perfectly well in this room, so don't try anything funny. Believe me when I say I am a friend. Names are not important right now, so please do not ask. I will tell you when necessary. I have something to request of you." Link sat at attention, trying not to stroke Epona's jaw.

The Zola took a rattling breath. "I have given you your horse. How I got possession of her will also be revealed when it's time. As you can tell by the lack of filth in this room, I have just recently arrived here. After today, you shall care for Epona and give her necessary food." Epona shifted somewhat, and Link patted her jaw for reassurance. Why was she reacting so? "I want you to buy me new clothes befitting a creature of my figure, and a cloak. Also, I would like that mask." The fish pointed at Link's face with one sharp claw. Kafei's mask was still resting on Link's face. Link took off his mask and looked it in the eyeholes. It would be hard to give something like this away; it held many memories. "Ah, I see that longing look in your eye. The mask must be worth a lot to you. I got this horse for you and cared for her to the best of my ability. I will do the same for your mask. Please, hand it here. I will assist you in the future." Link handed over the purple-haired mask and frowned heavily.

"I will return it in due time... Now listen, there is something going on in the valley to the southwest of here." Link stood alert; the Deku Sprout's warning was clear in his mind. "No doubt you think so too. I have lost something... Very important to me there. I need it back. I need you to find... My twin." Link was confused. Normally he had to find some sort of item. "Yes, the Gerudo have captured my twin. I'd like you to rescue him for me." Perhaps this is what was wrong in Gerudo Valley? Link decided to place more importance in the stranger. "Also, you must not tell anyone about my presence here. I didn't exactly get greeted by the Great King of Hyrule I've been hearing about. I have minimal knowledge of Hyrule and its monarchy. I climbed the ceilings over the guard's heads and extinguished the flames of the torches as I made my way to this room. When the guards changed shifts, I hurried Epona into this room in the dark. It was awfully hard, let me tell you. I risked my life for your horse. Please risk your life for me." Link nodded and shook the Zola's hand, which was surprisingly warm and familiar. Taking his hand away, he motioned for Epona to follow him out the door.

Link almost got Epona out of the door (With much difficulty) when the Zola sharply took in air in an almost nervous way. "And Link..." Link turned around curiously. "... Let's have a drink sometime. Milk sound good?" Link was really confused now. Nodding his head, he unstuffed Epona from the door frame and lead her down the hallway, where a warm and normal bed was waiting for him.

-Chapter End-