OK, so like I said in my other fanfic, school's gonna start pretty soon, so I'm gonna start uploading one chapter per week – that means each of my fanfics will only be updated every other week. Just so ya know!

This is one of those gaps between my ideas. I've had a few good ideas come to me though. It's great when that happens. I think fun stuff's gonna happen in the next chapter. (I wish there were a way to make a mischievous grin out of computer characters. ^-^ doesn't cut it)

Chapter 13: Fairy's Flight

The two Zoras pulled themselves out of the lake, bringing the items that Din had asked for. One of them handed Din a soggy pile of leaves, and the other brought a long, sturdy strip of seaweed.

"These leaves," said one of the Zoras, "have healing properties. They'll make his wound close faster, and they'll prevent against infection."

"And you can use the seaweed as a bandage," the other Zora added.

"Thank you," Din replied, taking the soggy leaves and crushing them beneath a rock to make paste. She removed the thin ribbon from around Volvagia's middle.

As Din tended to Volvagia's wound, Tatl bobbed back and forth uncertainly. "Aah, oh, I guess I should go."

Din looked up at the fairy. "Go?" She repeated.

"Yeah. Go up to the castle and try to find Medli and Tael. Tell them where we are. I know we just found Volvagia and we shouldn't split up anymore…" she hovered next to the unconscious dragon, sounding concerned, "But if we can find the others, well, we better do it now since we know where they are. If we wait too long, we might lose them again."

Din nodded. "That's a good idea. It will probably take a while before Volvagia feels better. But whatever happens, we won't leave here without you."

Tatl gave a nod. "OK. I'll fly up to the city and find where they went, and I'll bring them back here. OK. See ya later. Take care of the dragon!"

Din nodded. "I will. Be careful."

"Yep." She took a deep breath and zoomed up and away from Lake Hylia. Din and the two Zoras watched her go.

Tatl emerged from the valley and saw the castle off in the distance. She began to fly towards it, picking up altitude as she went. It was harder for her to fly higher, but she wanted to get a good view of her surroundings.

As the city came into view beyond the walls, she saw how big it was. It would be hard to find Medli and Tael in all that. Plus it was nearly nightfall. It was getting darker already.

Undaunted, she flew on until she was over the city. She surveyed the buildings below her, wondering where "Telma's Bar" might be. She didn't look up until a shadow fell over her.

She gave a panicked cry and dove out of the air as a huge gray bird swooped down upon her. It stretched out its talons, reaching for the little fairy. She saw the claws closing in on either side of her, and she jerked up, out of the bird's grasp. One of its claws caught her wing, tearing the fragile membrane.

She beat her wings even harder, shooting down towards the city. The bird dove after her, preparing to strike again.

Tatl darted into the branches of a tree, and the bird pulled out of its dive just in time to avoid getting tangled in the leaves. It gave an annoyed screech and flapped to gain altitude again. Tatl sat in a cocoon of twigs, trembling. Her wing hurt, but she could still fly. She had to find the bar.

The fairy emerged, glancing here and there to make sure that the coast was clear.

The tree where she had taken refuge was planted along one of the city's roads. She still had a little more time before dark to search for the bar.

She flitted out of the tree, clinging close to the walls of the buildings. She didn't want to be ambushed again.

She glanced around a corner and saw a bustling street at the end of the road.

Hiding in the shadows, she made her way towards the main road. She continued to search until the sun was almost completely gone. And when her wings were tired and she wanted to sleep, she finally turned down a little side road and found herself facing a sign that read "Telma's Bar."

She gave a sigh of relief and landed on the ledge to rest for a moment. The door was closed anyway. How was she going to get in?

There was a soft sound as something landed behind her.

Tatl whirled around with an alarmed ringing, and found herself facing a white cat. The cat crouched very slightly and took a step towards Tatl.

…

Medli, Tael, and Ralis arrived at Telma's Bar as the sun was beginning to set.

Telma had swooped down on them, greeting Ralis warmly, and then doing the same to Medli. Tael nervously hid behind Medli's shoulder as Telma got them drinks and listened to Medli's story.

"Well, Hun, I'm afraid I haven't seen any dragons. And you say there's a boy like Link? Well, I haven't seen Link in a while. They say that he went missing when Princess Zelda did." Telma shook her head. "I hope they're all right. But I'll be sure to ask anyone who comes in if they've seen your friends. You should spend the night here, Honey. It's late."

"Thank you," Medli said, taking a sip of the cold drink Telma had offered her.

"I can't stay," Ralis sighed. "I know it's getting dark, but I'll be fine. They're waiting for me back at Zora's Domain."

"It's good to see you again, Hun," Telma said, walking him to the door. "You make sure you're careful on the way home."

Ralis nodded, waved farewell to Medli, and left.

Telma stood to the side to let her cat walk in before closing the door.

The fluffy white cat, Louise, stalked into the bar and sat next to the table. She fixed her eyes on Medli, and Tael. Tael shivered nervously, and then suddenly caught sight of something on the cat's shoulders. Something cream-colored, with wings.

"Tatl!" Tael exclaimed, ringing with excitement.

Medli glanced around as Tael zoomed past her towards the cat.

"Mrow," Louise said. But Tael heard what she was saying. "Ah, another fairy? You know this one, do you? Poor dear. She was exhausted. I found her outside and she passed out. So I brought her in."

Medli knelt beside Louise and gently lifted Tatl.

"Is she gonna be OK?" Tael cried, bobbing anxiously beside Medli.

"It looks like she hurt her wing," Medli noted. "But other than that, I think she's just asleep. Thanks," she said to Louise, scratching the cat behind the ears with her free hand.

…

As the sun sank beneath the horizon, Shadow Link smiled. Night. This was his element. Once twilight began, he started to feel more alive. Navi was still trailing along behind him. At least she wasn't talking at all. That was something. He supposed that she was still upset at what he'd said earlier. Well, whatever. People said horrible things about him all the time. She ought to get used to it. Sheesh. Breaking down because of a few words.

Shadow Link threw off the hood of his cloak and stretched.

He still needed to find out where his Ocarina was. But he didn't know where to start, or if he had any chance of finding it. He supposed he could ask around, but that would actually involve speaking to people. He nearly asked Navi to fly off and see if she could see it anywhere, but he didn't want to ask anyone for help. He could take care of himself.

He had left a town back there. Did he dare go back and look around?