(Ravio)
"Holy Hyrule," Emerald whispered, completely astonished, "you mean I was holding onto the sacred Pendant of Courage for three years?"
"I'm am just a shocked as you are," Link explained.
"So, let just get this straight," Ravio said to Emerald, "you found the Pendant of Courage and you still have it."
Emerald nodded.
Ravio couldn't believe his ears. Not only did she meet Link before today, but, by a minuscule sliver of a chance, held Pendant of Courage that Link had lost. Ravio has heard the Legend of the Master Sword since he was a child. It tells of the holy sword of evil's bane and how the Chosen Hero was required to collect the three pendants of the Triforce, as well as acquire the Ocarina of Time to open the Doors of Time. Only then, can the Hero possess the Master Sword to smite the mighty evil that may arise. He knows that Link had used the sword once, which he had witnessed the strength of such a weapon from legend. He also recalls Link telling him about the missing pendant, but he never imagined locating it again after all these years.
"Finally," Link murmured under his breath.
Ravio had heard him. "What do you mean 'finally?'"
"Oh,well," he explained, "I kind of need it back. You still have it, Emerald?"
"Yes, I do. It's not with me though. It's back at my house. Um, mind if I ask why you need it, Link?" Emerald answered nervously. Ravio could hear the tension in her voice, but why? Then he had realized how Emerald explained how perilous the forest was, primarily because of the scaly beasts that roamed the area.
"It's kinda complicated." Link appeared to be unsure of something, but he continued, "I can explain if you can take me to it."
"I can."
Ravio wondered if he was going to be asked to go along with them. He had decided long ago that the life of a hero did not suit him, yet somehow, he yearned for adventure; to experience the journey his friend had made before and what exactly had made it satisfying. He could tell Link desperately needed this little charm for some reason. He felt a tinge of anxiety, as if he was being pulled both ways at the same time.
"Ravio, are you going to come?" Link asked.
-()-
Ravio had never been to this part of the forest and, honestly, he could see why the monsters decided to make their home here. He had been to the Kokiri Forest before, but this part of the woods, east of there, was like a scene out of campfire story. The dark brown trees' branches twist and bend over their heads like an archway over a path, yet there was no sign of any trail. Of course, Ravio had some kind of faith that Emerald knew where she was leading them to.
Link caught up beside Emerald. "Um, why do live all the way out here?"
Emerald sighed, "It's a long story. I don't a lot of money, in fact, I spent most of my rupees buying this new outfit. I hadn't bought clothes in like two years and only have two sets of clothes to my name. Being a teenage girl doesn't help when you are looking for a steady job either, so I figured I could find everything I needed in the woods. I have to say, I was kinda right in one way."
"I see," Link said, "where's your parents?"
"That's an even longer story. Right now, I'd like to just get to my house in one piece."
Link said nothing more. "I think he went a little bit too far there," Ravio thought. He never really questioned Emerald about her life because it never really seemed like she wanted to talk about it. He was never really that bold when it came anything and he had always known that. Link, on the other hand, was an ideal for the makings of a hero or a good person in general ; generous, compassionate, and most of all courageous. It was everything that Ravio sometimes hoped he could be.
Emerald continued to lead them on in silence for another few moments. Then, she froze. "No."
Ravio walked up beside her and inspected the scene. There was no house, just wreckage. Pale gray stone littered the area in chunks as well as piles of fine dust and remnants of splintered, burnt wood lay around the center. It took a few moments for Ravio to process the scene before him, but realized almost immediately afterward that this was Emerald's home.
Emerald swallowed hard, and continued onward towards the wreckage. Link carefully followed her, appearing to be very unsure of how to handle the situation.
Ravio decided it might be best to look around for himself, so head headed for the other side of the wreckage. Besides, he wasn't quite sure how well Emerald could handle this. If she was anything similar to Ravio's master, he figured it would be best if he stayed away for awhile to give the poor girl some space. As he scanned what looked like it used to be the front of her house, something off to the side caught his attention. He picked it up. It appeared to be a carefully crafted lantern that had fallen from the tree. The glass was a scene depicting the silhouette of a wolf against the night sky, howling at the moon. He turned it in hands, looking at it carefully. Then he glanced at Emerald. It didn't take much damage, but it did look like it used to have a hook on it where it would hang from something. He set it down and looked over to Link and Emerald.
-()-
(Link)
Link's eyes fell upon the only remaining part of the house, the foundation. There was not much remaining to look over, just some stone and wood that was scattered around a wood floor. He focused on Emerald, who was sifting through the rubble, emotionless. In a way, Link admired Emerald for being able to stay under control when impacted with such a horrific situation. He came over to the other side of the house and knelt beside her. "What are looking for?"
"The Pendant of Courage," she stated. "You said you needed it right?"
"Yeah. Uh, how about I help you?"
Emerald shrugged and continued digging through the pile.
"Where do you think it's at?"
"Somewhere around here." She gestured to the small area where she was working.
Link nodded, planted his hands in the wreckage and began to push it aside. They both dug in awkward silence, pushing boards, stone and parts of furniture out of their way until Emerald motions Link to stop. She yanks an object out of the ground. At first, Link had mistaken it for a brick, but with a second glance, he saw that it was a toolbox. Gee, it was wrecked and he sure hoped if the pendant was there, it wasn't in a million pieces. Link held his breath as Emerald pried the box open and set it down. Inside was unmistakable green shimmer of the Pendant of Courage. He exhaled in relief, for it felt as if an iron weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Finding it in one whole piece was a miracle. "There it is. I can't believe it's right there."
Emerald plucked it out of the box and held in her palm, running her thumb over it. Then, she handed it over to him. "It belongs to you. It always has."
Link accepts the charm and places it in one of the side pouches on his belt with care. He looks Emerald straight into her hazel eyes and gives her his ultimate thanks. "I can't thank you enough and I owe one, seriously. You've made my life so much easier. I've been around all of Hyrule twice looking for that thing."
"I'd like to know why, but we really need to leave."
"It's fine, I can tell both you and Ravio on the way out."
"Hey Ravio!" Emerald called.
"Yeah? I've been waiting for you guys."
Link looks over to see his friend already waiting for them. They both stood up made their way over. Emerald paused and
gave a last look to her life, then she continued.
"So," Ravio asked, "did you find what you were lookin' for?"
Link nodded.
Emerald shrugged. "You could say so," she muttered painfully.
-()-
The three strolled through the winter forest, making their way back to town. The sun was high in the sky, masked by the gray winter clouds. It was about noon and arctic wind ravaged through. The three had decided it would be best to head for town again, but nobody spoke since then; no remarks, no reminiscing.
Link took a deep breath, warm air creating a mist from the cold. Now was time speak about his task. "Guys, I need to hold my end of the deal."
Ravio paused. "What deal?"
"Remember? I said if I found the pendant, I'd tell you guys why I need it."
"Oh that? Yeah, I remember."
"Well, a few days ago I was called to the castle by Princess Zelda. Of course, I went straight there and she pulled me aside as soon as I got in the door. Usually, I have to go all over the castle to find her, so that was pretty weird for a start. She took me to an empty room and locked the door. Then she started talking about a dream she had the night before. The dream took place on Hyrule Field and there was a battle. Hylians, Gorons, Zora, Gerudo, and others were all fighting each other in the middle of a storm. We have no idea at all what that was all about. Then she saw something on the ground. It was the Pendant of Courage. After that, the dream faded. Zelda sent me to find the pendant."
"Huh, that is weird." Emerald finally spoke.
Link turned to see the girl behind him. Wow, she hadn't said anything in awhile. Link forgot she was even with them!
"So, what does Zelda want with it?" Ravio asked.
"Don't ask me 'cause I have absolutely no idea. Honestly, I'm not sure she even knows."
Ravio shrugged and they continued their trek, with only the whispering of the frosty breeze making a sound.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story! Please leave reviews if you get the chance! As mentioned above, there was a minor plot change in ch. 3. I had some new ideas. Until next time!