Chapter 7- The Remaining Warriors

Now that Peter had some idea of how to find the other warriors Tristan and Celina needed to find, he quickly led them south-west to a nearby village. Peter explained it was a much larger village than his own, and he had a few friends that lived there that might be who they are looking for.

It was definitely getting dark now, and the temperature was changing to match it. Peter advised them that they should continue walking through the night, for even though the Black Phoenix was out in greater numbers at night, they never stopped moving travelers, only the resting ones.

So on they walked, late into the night. Tristan and Peter seemed to have no end to their energy, but Celina was fading quickly. Soon she got so tired she had to stop, but found she was too exhausted to keep going. Knowing they had precious little time before another patrol came along, Tristan swiftly removed his swords and shield and handed them to Peter to carry. He stepped up to Celina and turned around, kneeling. She leaned forward till she was resting on his back. Tristan stood up and they continued on, Peter leading, and Celina riding piggy-back with Tristan.

Though it was night-time, the red clouds above them gave them enough light to see at least one hundred yards around them. Just as the sky was beginning to lighten a bit and it started getting warmer they spotted a few buildings and made for them. As they got closer, Peter got excited.

"This is it!" he said tiredly.

"Sssshhhhh!" Tristan urged. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that Celina had fallen asleep while watching their progress, though now it looked like she had been watching Tristan. She was slightly pale from the cold and Tristan new that if they didn't get her somewhere warm soon, she cold get sick.

"Hey, what do you use as money around here?" Tristan whispered.

"Rupees are the most common, but a lot of people trade as well," Peter replied.

"You use rupees? So do we!"

"Wow! Now there's a coincidence! Why did you ask anyway?"

"I need to find an inn so we can get her in a bed. If she doesn't warm up soon, she's gonna get sick."

By now they had reached the village, which was more of a city. Making a quick trip through, they reached the square and stopped in front of a fountain to discuss what they were going to do.

"I'll go and round up my friends, they should be up by now. You look for a bed for sleepy-head. I'll meet you back here at the fountain," Peter said. Glancing to the side of the fountain, he saw someone he instantly recognized. It was Jaimon Golra. Peter turned back to Tristan, pointing over at Jaimon as he did. "Be cautious around that guy. Personally I think he's ok, but everyone thinks he's a bully or something. He's 9 years old and the biggest anti-social person you'll find in the village."

"I'll watch my back."

"Speaking of which, I'll drape your swords over your shoulder so you don't forget them. I'll hold onto the shield though. You can't carry that without waking her up."

Peter took off to find his friends and Tristan looked for an inn of some kind. He was about to give up when soft voice said, "You may wanna try the next street over."

Tristan turned and saw Jaimon nearby. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Slightly perplexed, Tristan thanked him and dashed up the next street. Sure enough, he came across an inn almost instantly.

Pushing his way in, Tristan managed to rent a room for one night. He somehow climbed the stairs to the second floor and made it into the room. There were three beds and Tristan lowered Celina onto one. After removing her equipment, Tristan laid her down and pulled up a blanket. He placed a note explaining where he'd be if she woke up before he got back on the bedside table. He felt her forehead and her temperature seemed normal. Convinced she'd be alright, Tristan dashed out of the inn and immediately forgot where the fountain was.

Looking around, he spotted Jaimon again. He was walking toward Tristan, and as he was passing he said, "Follow me."

Walking next to Jaimon, Tristan was finally able to get a good look at him. His skin was rather pale and he had sandy blond hair, but the most amazing part about him was his eyes. Instead of being something like blue or green, they were ruby red. They instantly reminded Tristan of the shadowy Shiekah people back home. Their numbers had drastically diminished, though Zelda and her friend Impa were trying to correct that.

Soon they were at the fountain and Jaimon took his place on the far side, but not before Tristan managed to thank him again. Their eyes met for a moment, and Jaimon actually managed a week smile, which Tristan returned.

This guys not at all what people think he is, Tristan thought. He's a pretty neat guy. It's just that no one understands him.

Just then, Peter showed up with about seven other kids. Tristan managed to count three girls and four boys.

"Here they are!" Peter said triumphantly. The others all said hi, and Tristan replied warmly. "You found an inn?"

"Yeah, it's a little way down the east road."

"Might be a good idea to test 'em there I think," Peter whispered to him. "It'll be kind of suspicious having glowing kids in the middle of the street."

"Yeah, you're right. Here's the key. I'm gonna hang here a moment longer and think something over."

"Alright, Susan here will stay behind and keep you company."

"Thanks."

Susan turned out to be a red-haired girl with blue eyes. She stood with her hands behind her back, watching Peter with a slight frown.

"Something wrong?" Tristan asked.

"Huh?" Susan looked around at him. "Oh! No it's nothing. Peter's just going on about some grand adventure a few of us can join. I personally don't believe him."

To her surprise, Tristan began chuckling.

"What's so funny?"

"You'd be surprised at what can happen. Excuse me a second."

Tristan turned and looked at Jaimon, who was watching him out of the corner of his eye. Stepping up to him, Tristan waited a moment. Eventually Jaimon stood up, looking a little surprised that someone had learned to understand him so well so soon, and gave a short nod. Susan looked shocked. She pulled Tristan just out of ear-shot to talk to him.

"What's up?" Tristan asked.

"Do you know who that is?"

"Yeah, Jaimon Golra. I know many people here think he's a bad kid, but he's been helping me out ever since I got here."

"He has? That's most unlike him. He usually doesn't get involved in other peoples' business."

"He's not bad. I can tell. Everyone just misunderstands him. Something must have happened to him that caused him to feel he needed to keep his distance."

"You know, I never thought of it that way. You're pretty smart."

"Thanks to my mom. Now come on! The three of us need to get to the inn."

When they rejoined Jaimon, he took one look at Susan and knew she had changed her mind about him. They smiled at each other briefly before following Tristan.

When they reentered the room, the first thing Tristan noticed was that Celina was sitting on her bed, rubbing her eyes. Ignoring the sudden muttering about Jaimon being there, Tristan rushed over to Celina to make sure she was okay.

"I'm alright. I woke up just before the party started," she said. "Thanks for last night. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. You're surprisingly light so I had no trouble at all."

They walked over to Peter and everyone fell quiet. Tristan pulled out the Ocarina as Peter instructed everyone to stand a few feet away from each other. Tristan noticed Susan standing near Jaimon and smiled. When everyone was ready, Tristan began playing Zelda's Lullaby, hopefully for the last time. The effect was immediate this time. Of the eight kids who were there, three began glowing, the symbol of a bird clearly visible.

Celina clutched Tristan's arm as she hopped up and down, making it extremely difficult to end the song. When he finally managed it, he saw Peter leading the others who had no reaction back out the door, handing each of them a red rupee for coming.

When Tristan looked at who was left, he instantly noticed Susan and Jaimon. Nodding at both of them, Tristan turned to the last person. It was a young girl, at least two years younger than Tristan.

"What's your name?" Tristan asked gently.

"Me? I'm Jessie," she said. Tristan was surprised that she was so composed. He was used to younger kids breaking down in absolutely strange situations. "Susan's my sister!"

"Is that so?" Tristan said, looking at Susan who nodded. "Believe Peter's 'grand adventure' rant now?"

"Don't really have a choice do I?" Susan replied.

"Well, we'd better go talk your parents into letting you…"

Tristan suddenly realized they were all staring at him.

"What?"

"You don't know do you?"

"Um, apparently not. I haven't been here very long."

Jaimon took a step forward, obviously hesitant about being the one to explain the girls' situation. "They were taken away from their parents when they were young and forced to live on a ranch outside of town. The owner's a really mean guy who doesn't care a whip about them. There have been many times he's sent them to bed in the barn with no food, just because a horse wasn't woken up at the right time. I always made sure they got food though."

"That was you bringing all that food?" Susan said suddenly. Jaimon looked at her.

"Yeah it was. I hate seeing people taken advantage of, especially after…"

He looked down at his feet and closed his eyes. Susan was about to say something when Tristan stepped up and laid a hand on Jaimon's shoulder. Jaimon looked him in the eye and knew what Tristan wanted to tell him. That was very noble of you. They'd be very proud. Jaimon nodded and sat on a bed nearby.

"Well then. Since it looks like no one will really miss you, I guess we should get to Hyrule so my mom can update us on what's going on."

"Who's your mom?"

"Oh that's right! I haven't properly introduced myself! I am Prince Tristan Marison Davos, son of Queen Zelda Alieena Marison Davos the XXXVIIth."

"You're a prince?" Jessie asked.

"Yes, and this is Miss Celina of a very renown family that tends the land's horses at Lon Lon Ranch."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Celina said, curtsying.

The four others all returned the gesture.

"So, are we ready to go?" Tristan asked. The others nodded, the two sisters holding hands. Before Tristan turned to the task at hand, Jaimon placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks," he whispered.

"For what?"

"For understanding me. No has until now, thanks to you."

"My pleasure Jaimon. Anything for a friend. I know what it feels like."

"Thank you."

Tristan directed everyone to stand behind him. Concentrating hard, he held out his hand and shouted, "TAKE US HOME!" Another portal appeared; this one bluish-black. Taking Celina's hand, he ran through, the others following right behind him.

"We're on our way home Mom!" Tristan shouted, knowing his voice would reach Hyrule before he did.