Chapter 2
Link's eyes fluttered open, and he awoke to the sound of a gentle voice softly humming a tune. Above him, he saw the roof of the structure he was laying in, and felt a cool, moist towel being placed on his forehead. Then, Din's beautiful face came into his line of sight again, looking down on him with a sweet smile.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Hero." She said with a smirk.
"Then... I'm not dead?" Link asked, sitting up.
"Well, you almost were, judging by those wounds." She replied, dunking the moist towel in the water again. "But according to the Gerudo physician who treated you, you'll live."
"Din... thank you so much for saving me." The hero embraced her in a warm hug. The Oracle of Seasons, startled by this at first, quickly hugged him back... though she was glad Link couldn't see the warm blush spreading across her face.
Finally pulling away, Link took a good look at his surroundings. The hero noticed he was in a brownish-grey tent, with a bull's skull, scimitars, and feathers decorating the sides of the tent. "So... we're in a gerudo encampment?" He asked.
She sighed. "Yes, this is a Gerudo encampment. They move all over the desert, as you know, pitching their tents wherever they can find water for the night." Din looked down at him. "I was out with one of the patrols that came across an almost-dead hero dying in the desert."
"Ok, but... what are you doing here with them, instead of being with your dance troupe?" Link asked curiously. "I thought you guys were still touring Holodrum."
"Hey, I'm half-Gerudo, remember?" She answered sarcastically. "Shortly after you saved both Holodrum and Labyrinia, the troupe broke up, and we all went our separate ways. I came back here, to stay with my mother's people for awhile." She looked away. "What happened to you, Link? Last thing we had heard, you had been lost at sea during a storm!"
Link closed his eyes. "Yeah, there was a shipwreck...I washed up on an island called Kolnohoit." Link remembered the Beautiful Marin, who was lost to him forever. "It's... something I'd rather not talk about." He replied painfully.
"O-ok, if you say so." She went over, and put the wet towel and water basin on a nearby table. "I'm just glad you're all right, Link."
"Thanks" He replied simply. As he looked Din up and down, he noticed she was no longer wearing her full dancer's outfit from Holodrum. Instead, she wore the baggy pants and Halter top that the other Gerudo women wore, only din's pants had see-through legs. She still had the same long red hair, tied back into a ponytail, and those same burning red eyes that Link swore could see into his soul...
"You have a staring problem?" She asked him, annoyed.
"Huh? Oh, sorry." He replied sheepishly, surprised she had noticed him looking.
To be honest, Link was greatly attracted to the young oracle of Seasons; he loved her upbeat personality, her intelligence, her graceful movement when she danced. But Link would never admit that to her, however, out of fear of how Din might respond. He really hadn't known her that long, and Link had made a total fool out of himself the first time Din had asked him to dance with her. If the hero told her how he felt, the Oracle of Seasons would probably freak out, and never want to speak to him again. No, he would suffer in silence, rather than risk losing her friendship, which was far more important to him than any romance.
Drying her hands, Din got up to leave. "I hope your feeling better, because the tribe's chief wants to speak with you as soon as you are up."
"Really?" Link asked, curious. "About what?"
"Oh I don't know." She replied sarcastically, folding her arms across her chest. "Something about an enchanted Trophy taken from a tomb."
At that, Link gulped.
--
Shadow Link reached the top of death mountain, a sinister smile crossing his face. He had outwitted that foolish Hero, and taken the trophy from him without even breaking a sweat. Oh, he was sure that impudent whelp would survive his little encounter with the Gibidos... he was from the house of Link, after all... but he doubted he would have to worry about the boy threatening his plans anytime soon.
The evil shade looked around at the ominous peaks of the mighty mountain. Once home to the peaceful Gorons, Death Mountain was now a stronghold for Ganon's army. The ancient Goron Caves made an excellent place for monsters to hide and store stolen loot. And sine the Volcano had finally gone dormant about a century ago, the monsters now had free reign over the entire mountain. (Except for that old hermit living in one of the caves... he remained alive only because his foolish courage at staying amused the monsters.)
Behind him, Shadow Link read the rasping and gasping for breath of Solon, who had lugged the trophy all the way up the mountain trail. "Ok, I brougt this thing here, just like you asked." Solon wheezed out, setting the trophy down. "Now, before I return to the desert, I want the reward you promised me!"
"You've played your part, fool." Shadow Link replied. "You can go now." Picking up Solon by the throat, he hurled him clear over the cliff. The nomad screamed, as he plummeted down towards the Jagged rocks below. "Good help is so had to find these days!" The Shade added with a cruel laugh.
Spinning around, he picked up the trophy, and carried it towards a large structure sitting atop the mountain. The tower of Hera had been retaken by Ganon's army after the Hero had defeated Moldorm and claimed the pendant of Courage from the tower. Now, it served as Shadow Link's base, from which he plotted his next scheme against the Hylian people.
As Shadow Link entered the large stone citadel, a voice echoed through the darkness. "You have done well to bring that trophy back here, my friend, lest all of our plans be brought to ruin."
"Cut the theatrics, Phantom Ganon, we have work to do!" Shadow Link snapped in disgust. "Is the next part of our plan ready?"
The dark shadow of Phantom Ganon materialized above him, floating in midair. "Of, course, my friend. Our armies are preparing to march on Katsuto town as we speak."
"Good, good!" Shadow Link said with a smile. "I want that town burned to the ground, as an example to any in Hyrule who do not surrender to us!"
"But what of the King, and the royal army?" Phantom Ganon asked. "Surely they will retaliate."
"Have no fear, my partner." Shadow Link replied, looking over at the trophy. "We will have a way to deal with them soon enough."
--
Link felt nervous, standing there in before the chief. She was sitting on a silk cushion, wearing an aquamarine colored crown, and speaking to her advisers. The Hero could she she was probably as old as Sharalsha, and most likely just as wise. Link kept looking from them, to Din, who was standing on the other side. Finally, the chief dismissed her advisers, looked up to Link, and spoke.
"It has come to my attention, Hero, that someone has broken into our sacred crypts, and stolen an ancient artifact of our people." She told him candidly. "Would you, perchance, know anything about this?"
Link took a deep breath. "I more than know about it, your majesty... I am the one who broke into the tomb."
Several voices of shock and surprise rose throughout the tent. Looking over at Din, Link she looked like she was about to cry.
"This comes as a horrible shock, that the Hero of Hyrule would commit such a shameful act." The chief narrowed her eyes at him. "But the question I would now ask, is why?"
"Because, your majesty, the Town of Ruto needed the artifact in order to survive." The Hero proclaimed boldly. "Their water supply has been cursed by the Wizzrobes, and Sharalsha told me only the magical properties of the trophy from that tomb could save the town."
"But why did you not just come to us, and ask for permission to enter the tomb?" The queen asked. "With lives at stake, we would not have refused you!"
"There was no time, your majesty. Your tribe is always moving about the desert, and there was no way to locate you." Link replied. "Besides, Shadow Link was able to grab the Trophy from me anyway."
"Thank you for your honesty, hero." The chief replied. "Now, you are dismissed. I will discuss this matter with my advisers, then tell you of my decision."
Bowing, Link leaves the chief's tent, and goes outside to wait. He is quickly joined by Din.
"So are you upset about what I did?" Link asked sheepishly.
"I was at first." She replied, cocking an eyebrow. "But I realize you did what you had to do to save lives." She put her hand on his shoulder. "But please Link... don't do something like that again."
Link simply nodded.
It wasn't long before they were called back before the chief, and she gave her judgement on the matter.
"Since the Gerudo people are indebted to the Hero's bloodline for past heroic actions, I shall forgive this transgression." The chief then raised her hand "However, it is also my decision that one of our tribe shall accompany you on your mission to recover the trophy from Shadow Link... and see it safely delivered to Ruto town."
Before anyone could say anything, Din suddenly piped up. "I'll go, my lady!"
"What!?" one of the Gerudo women replied angrily. She stood up, and walked over where Din was standing. "Surely you would not let this half-breed dancer go in place of a true Gerudo warrior! She is not even worthy of-"
Before the woman could finish, Din had spun her around, pinned her down, and had her own sword at the woman's throat.
"I received some training while I've been here. Augmented by my acrobatic skills from dancing." Din said coldly. "Now, what was that you were saying about me being a 'half-breed'?"
"No-nothing." The Gerudo woman replied. Din let the woman up, and handed her back her sword.
"Very well then, it is decided." The Chief decreed. "Link and Din shall retrieve the trophy, and defeat shadow Link." She stared at both of them intently. "Good Luck... and may the goddesses be with you both."