So, you guys are used to ultra-late updates, right? Ehhh sorry. 3
Morning brought a few moments of waking peace for the Thief King. He stared up at the red silk canopy of his bed and was sure he had dreamt the past few days, perhaps even the last two years. A loud crash as his bedroom door was slammed open deprived him of the illusion.
"Wake up, little host!" Din ordered him loudly, "We have work to do!"
Ganondorf sat up, rubbing his temples and looking at Din in faint disgust. The goddess, clad in naught but a sheer nightdress, was smiling and holding something small and cloth-covered in her hands. Ganondorf stared pointedly at it until she unwrapped it.
A tiny, wooden ocarina rested in her palm. She held it as if it were made of gold.
"What were you planning to do with this?" she asked.
Ganondorf shrugged, throwing aside his sheets and standing, "I would have used it to contact the Hero and lure him in. It's fairly useless now."
Din laughed and moved forward, grasping the King by the arms, "Do you not see? What is important to the Hero is important to the girl."
"Zelda?" Ganondorf raised an eyebrow, "I doubt it. She's no fool. I took the ocarina from a poor farmer whom my excellent guards saw fit to lose."
"And?"
"And Zelda must know we have it. She'd never answer a song coming from her enemy."
"Augh," Din shoved him lightly and turned to pace the room, running her fingers across the ocarina as she walked, "You have no imagination."
Already gaining a headache, Ganondorf chose to ignore the goddess and instead focused on dressing himself. He'd pulled on pants and boots before Din strode over and steered him into a chair. He sat down and watched her darkly.
"Think, think," Din tapped his forehead, "what if she could believe someone else had it?"
Ganondorf did not respond.
She leaned closer, "Someone like the Forest Sage herself?"
After a moment, Ganondorf allowed himself an incredulous chuckle, "How exactly? Are we going to kidnap a Sage?"
Din's smile widened into a grin. Her teeth gleamed in the sunlight. Ganondorf felt his stomach sink.
"You are joking."
"Oh, little king. You are so predictable."
She stood up and twirled to the opposite window, where she threw open the shutter to let a burst of sunlight into the room. Ganondorf shielded his eyes, squinting at her as she began to play the ocarina. A quick, cheerful melody echoed.
Din shot a smiling glance at her host, then clapped her hands in joy when a soft voice answered, "Malon? It's Saria. Can you hear me?"
In reply, Din's voice changed to a pleasant drawl which Ganondorf did not recognize, "Oh, Saria, it's awful. They burned us out and everyone's dead. We're trying to make it to the Lost Woods and we need your help!"
She glanced triumphantly at Ganondorf, who made a determined attempt not to let his mouth fall open in awe.
The eventual answer came with a green glow from the ocarina, "I'll do what I can. Meet me outside the Forest Temple, I can protect you there."
"Thank you! Thank you so much," Din said, then set the instrument down on the bed. It glowed green once more, then faded to its usual wooden dullness. She turned back to Ganondorf, nearly jumping in excitement.
Hand rubbing his beard, Ganondorf considered the woman before him. A crooked smile cut its way across his face.
"You are a wonder, my Goddess."
She nodded appreciatively, "We should dress and ride. To enter by magic would alert the woods to our presence."
Accepting this with silence, Ganondorf obediently pulled on a boot. Din snapped her fingers and her nightdress reshaped itself into a shirt and pants. She watched his slow, deliberate dressing with some disdain.
"We should talk, my host," she placed her hands on tan hips, "about our powers."
He paused in tying his sleeve, "Our powers?"
"Come, I will explain as we travel."
Nursing an intense headache, Link spent a good part of the early morning purging the prior night's liquor. Several villagers stopped by to wish him well, or to jest about his condition. He was beginning to feel stable on his feet, leaning against the side of the old shooting gallery, when Sheik approached. Link gave him a half-hearted wave.
"I see you're still standing," Link joked, rubbing his eyes in the bright glare of the sun, "Where did you go?"
"To sleep," Sheik answered curtly, "as I see you did not."
"I did too," Link mumbled, "I just had to forget a few things."
"Could you?"
"No," the Hero shrugged, noticing for the first time that Sheik was holding a brown leather bag, "Is that mine?"
Sheik, fully dressed with a clean cowl once again covering his face, hefted the bag toward Link. Fumbling a little, Link caught and opened it. His familiar stock of small weapons, potions and food stared up at him.
"Where did you..." he began to ask.
"You handed it to one of the children before your battle. She held on to it."
Link nodded, a flash of memory bringing back the little girl's face and a wave of phantom pain. He rubbed his chest distractedly.
Sheik waited a moment before adding, "Your other weapons are still at the potion shop."
"Good..." Link ran his hand through his hair.
Sheik moved toward the stairs, and Link stumbled after him. After a few uneven steps, Link found he was able to walk. They made their way down to the village green.
"Sheik?" Link muttered, focusing on his boots, "Do you know where Navi went?"
The Sheikah paused to help Link up the first of the stairs to the potion shop, "No. But I might guess she went home."
Link nodded and leaned against the wall, somewhat embarrassed by his appearance. His muscles felt stiff and tired, and his legs were finally beginning to hurt again. Grunting softly, he pushed himself up the stairs. Sheik hung back, allowing the Hero to go ahead.
They reached the landing without incident, and Link took a moment to lean over, hands on his knees. Sensing Sheik beside him, he stood up and made a show of being confident.
"I'm fine," he said before Sheik could comment, "just tired."
He thought he saw the glint of a smile in the other man's eye, but the Sheikah simply nodded and gestured toward the shop door.
Link opened the door as quietly as possible, unsure whether Avin would be asleep. He was surprised to see the potion maker standing in the center of the room, leaning on a crutch and staring at the wrecked shelving behind the counter. Hearing the door, Avin turned to watch the two men with blackened eyes.
"Hero," he nodded, "Sheik."
"Uh, Link," the Hero answered, "It's just Link."
Avin gave a dull smile and glanced around the room, "They took everything. At least Gran managed to save a few fairies."
Link stepped gently into the shop, "I'm sorry."
"I know," Avin sighed, "At least the building's still standing."
Sheik slid into the room, brushing by Link to reach behind the counter. He pulled out Link's quiver and bow, setting them on the dusty surface before him. A bundle of cloth Link recognized as his sword followed soon after.
Link's eyes traveled back to Avin, "Will you be going home soon?"
"I can't," Avin's voice was bitter, "until I'm well enough to ride. All the wagons were destroyed. Even my little pony cart."
Link could think of nothing to say as Sheik brought over a bundle of clothes. Hesitantly looking away from Avin, Link took the pile of clothes and found a grey tunic not unlike his ruined Kokiri tunic. Beneath this was a jacket of chainmail and, miraculously, his familiar green hat.
"How...?" Link smiled from the hat to Sheik.
"I might have found it at the base of Death Mountain," Sheik said mysteriously.
Link chuckled as he pulled on the mail jacket. He retrieved his gauntlets and tunic, then placed his hat reverently on his head. Sheik handed him his belt.
"I have to go after Navi," Link explained, buckling the worn belt, "she needs to know I'm alright."
"Of course."
"Besides, I don't have a clue what Ganondorf's next move will be," he shrugged into his bag and looped his quiver over his shoulder.
Sheik crossed his arms, "I'll find out. I don't believe Nabooru has quite outlived her usefulness to him."
Link nodded, somewhat vexed, "You never did explain what she's doing here, or why she isn't trying to kill us."
"What?" came Avin's voice. Link turned to look at him, already cringing.
Avin hobbled over to them, breathing heavily and clearly furious, "What in the hells is that monster doing here?"
Link drew a quick breath while Sheik held up his hands in a peaceful motion, "Wait, Avin, let me-"
"She did this to me!" Avin shouted, face turning red, "That bitch is the reason I am trapped here and my wife is alone out there!"
Sheik moved forward, palms open, "Ganondorf controlled her mind. She had no power over her actions."
"Horseshit!" Avin shoved the Sheikah violently back with one hand, "She enjoyed it! I saw her!"
Link placed a firm hand on Avin's shoulder, "So did I. But she's changed, and I've seen that too. She spent a good deal of last night trying to drink herself to death."
"Good," Avin spat, glaring at Link, "and you're both fools to believe she's any different. I know a mad dog when I see one. She's Ganondorf's whore and will be until she dies."
"That's enough," Sheik's voice cut like a dagger. Link glanced at the Sheikah to see a dangerous fury from his eyes.
Link spoke before anyone else could, "Alright, whether she's changed or not, she's valuable leverage. We need her alive, so that's that."
Avin snorted contemptuously but said nothing.
"Sheik," the Hero continued, "you and I should head out. And Avin, if you're well enough to hang on, I'll give you a ride to the ranch."
"What?" Avin looked hopeful for the first time.
Link broke the tension with a smile, "That is, if I can find my damn horse."
Nabooru watched the Hero lead the injured potion maker to the edge of the village. She stood in the shadow of a hill, obscured from view. The village seemed to fade around her. Her chest began to ache as she tried to forget capturing the young man, and laughing at him as he was dragged behind her horse. His terrified face burned through her memory.
"There you are," said a voice from inches behind her. She whirled, hands striking out toward the voice. A bandaged hand caught her fist easily.
"Sheik?" she blinked at him, lowering her guard.
He released her hand, "We should talk."
Gesturing for her to follow, he walked toward the stairs beneath the windmill. She ignored a nervous fluttering in her stomach and hurried after him, glancing around at the villagers as they worked. A few stared at her, but most seemed uninterested. At least they hadn't attacked her.
As she followed Sheik into the cool darkness of the windmill hut, she wondered at his calm. She thought she could feel the edges of her sanity fraying, and yet this Sheikah remained collected. He had barely grieved for his mother.
Sheik stepped lightly over the great turning wheel and sat down on a stone bench. Nabooru followed, seating herself beside him.
"The last few days have been hard for you," Sheik said, barely audible over the creaking windmill, "There are harder days ahead."
"I know," Nabooru looked down at her hands, which appeared to her small and frail. She folded them together.
Sheik sighed quietly, "I believe you, you know."
Nabooru looked up at him as he closed his eyes, lost in thought. She felt a smile at the edge of her lips. This boy was complicated. Only two days ago he had wanted her dead, and now he seemed concerned for her well-being.
"Thank you," she said, "at least someone does. I'm sure your people would like to see me burned alive."
"We can worry about them later. I am far more interested in what your people will think."
"They'll think I'm dead," Nabooru tented her fingers and let out a small breath of laughter, "until I come wandering home."
Sheik turned to look at her.
Nabooru licked her lips, which were suddenly dry, "I have a plan, of sorts. If I return to Ganondorf injured and desperate, he may believe I have good information about you."
"Injured," Sheik repeated sharply, leaning forward to look Nabooru in the eye.
"I'm sure you know a lot of people who could see to it."
"You could've asked Avin," Sheik snapped, "he would have done so happily."
There was a terse silence. Nabooru listened to the mill and considered her options.
"Well as he's gone..." she said slowly, "I may need to ask you for a favor."
"I may refuse," the Sheikah crossed his arms in displeasure, "your plan is both reckless and unsound."
Nabooru gave him an appraising look, flattered by his protectiveness. She rubbed her palms together, shaking her head with a quick grin.
"Sheikah," she laughed, "I'm a Gerudo. Reckless and unsound is the only way I do things."
Outside the village, Link helped Avin lean against a tree and dug through his belt pockets. He pulled out the Ocarina of Time, noting gratefully that it had not been damaged.
"What are you doing?" Avin asked curiously.
"Hoping the horse is within earshot," Link joked, then placed the ocarina against his lips. He played through the slow melody Malon had taught him as a boy. The last note echoed.
"She still sings that," Avin sighed, "her mother taught it to her before she died."
"I know," Link smiled at the potion maker, "she used to sing it all the time when we were kids. It's also the only sound Epona likes."
Avin hobbled closer, "You're the one she gave Epona to?"
"Hm?"
"She loved that mare," Avin regarded Link with a mix of jealousy and awe, "She said giving her away was like giving away her heart."
Link felt his cheeks darken, "Oh."
An accusatory pause caused Link to glance out at the hills. When he looked back to his companion, he was unsurprised to see Avin glowering at him.
"Look," Link said flatly, "whatever you're thinking, stop it."
Avin simply looked away. Link became aware of a distant sound, and jogged a few eager paces toward the fields.
"Come on, girl," he muttered to himself.
Over the crest of a hill, the outline of a tall horse came charging toward them. Link laughed aloud, recognizing Epona's gait. She cleared the field in moments and slowed to a trot as she neared them. Link strode forward to meet her.
Epona, however, nudged Link aside with her nose and pranced over to Avin, who steadied himself against the tree as she nuzzled his shoulder. The chestnut mare looked pointedly at Link, then continued sniffing and investigating the potion maker.
"Oh, thanks," Link said sarcastically, walking back to the tree, "it's good to see you too."
As he drew near, Epona thrust her nose into the air and shied away. She walked toward the edge of the Zora river and stood just above the bank, tossing her white mane.
Link sighed heavily, pressing the bridge of his nose between his fingers.
"You sure she's your horse?" Avin was grinning.
"She thinks I've been ignoring her," Link muttered into his hand.
Avin chuckled, then whistled sharply. Epona's ears twitched toward him. He whistled again and she walked obediently to him, skirting around Link. As she tried to bury her nose against Avin's neck, he pushed her toward Link. She snorted but allowed Link to step closer.
"Hey, girl," Link rubbed her nose lightly, "I wouldn't leave you."
He pulled pouch from his belt, opening it under Epona's nose. A few carrots lay inside.
"Go on," he urged. Her blue eye stared at him for a moment, before blinking as she thrust her muzzle into the bag. She finished the carrots and leaned toward Link, placing her neck against his head.
He patted her shoulder appreciatively and glanced from her bare back to Avin's bandaged leg and arm. Avin noticed his stare.
"I'll be fine," the man said defensively, "assuming you know how to ride."
"Fair enough," Link offered his hand. Avin took it, then leaned on it as he limped to Epona's side. Link knelt down and grasped Avin's good leg, lifting him onto the horse's back. Epona turned her head to eye Link with uncertainty.
"You can be mad at me later," he told her, and leapt up to sit behind Avin. Reaching around the other man, Link wrapped his fingers in Epona's mane and urged her forward.
At a gentle trot, they took an hour to reach Lon Lon Ranch. As Link pulled her to a stop just outside the door to the house, Epona let out an annoyed whinny. Link slid down and reached up to help Avin.
"Yeah, yeah," Avin gave Epona a gentle pat as he swung his good leg around, "I know I'm boring company."
Link eased the injured man to the ground and handed him his crutch. Avin regarded the Hero warmly.
"Thank you," he said softly as he caught his breath, "and I'm sorry about earlier."
Link shrugged, shaking Avin's hand, "It's alright."
"Oh, and..." Avin called as Link turned to go, "... there's another thing."
The Hero waited.
"I, uh..." the man watched the ground, "I managed to lose something of yours. The ocarina you gave to Malon. They took it away from me at the fortress."
A familiar sense of dread rang through Link's mind.
"That's alright," he lied, "I'm just glad you're alive. Will you tell Malon I say hello?"
"Sure," Avin smiled, apparently relieved.
"And... could I borrow a saddle and bridle?"
"Mine's on the far left," Avin nodded toward the stable and turned toward the door to the house, "Help yourself. Good luck."
"Thanks."
Link found himself struggling to pay attention as he wandered through the stable to the back room. He collected the gear and tacked up Epona with barely a thought. His mind was filled with images of Saria and her ocarina. If Ganondorf knew what he had, he could use it to enter the Forest Temple.
A clear image of Ganondorf finding the Kokiri Village brought Link back to the present. He had no magic, and was too weak to use it at any rate. He mounted Epona and pulled her quickly around. Overjoyed at the prospect of fast travel, Epona broke into a run.
"Careful, girl," Link called to her, "we'll have to ride all night."