Sorry for the long wait for an update, but this was my first week back to classes after break. Which means, of course, less updates. I'll try to add a couple of chapters every weekend, but I'm not promising anything at the moment.

Also, I've been playing TP while I write the story, so that my story is as close to the game as it can be. But, I had to stop playing a couple of weeks ago, due to a very annoying sound distortion throughout the entire second temple. I only managed to get half-way through the temple, so if some details are off, then I'm sorry and I'll try to fix them when I get everything fixed :)

Link could only think about one thing as they walked down the long and narrow tunnel: Maple, who was holding his hand. He was so close to learning what he wanted to know about her; so close to learning the who, the what, and, most importantly, the why.

As they got deeper into the tunnel, Link began to realize that he hadn't taken off the Iron Boots, so their clanking echoed loudly around them. He then stopped and knelt down to take them off himself.

"What are you doing?" Maple asked when he let go of her hand. Link didn't blame her for asking; it was so dark in the tunnel that he didn't even think that black was all that black compared to the darkness around them.

"Switching boots."

"Oh."

They were quiet for a few moments. It was one of those awkward silences, and Link began to wish that something would happen to break it.

"Listen," Maple said, and from the sound of her voice, he could tell that she was looking down, her hands close to her face. "I'm really sorry about how I reacted earlier. I'm usually not so...emotional."

Link stood up after he fastened his own boots. "Naw, it's alright."

"No, I--"

Link reached out and managed to cover her mouth with his hand. "Really. It's not a problem. I understand... Well, as well as I possibly can, at least."

Maple smiled, reached up and removed his hand from her face. "Thanks." She then leaned over and kissed his cheek. Link felt a breeze as (he guessed) she continued down the tunnel.

They said nothing as they walked. After about five minutes, Link saw a faint light begin to form ahead of them. At the sight of the light, Link heard Maple sigh, as if she had started to become uneasy in the inky blackness of the tunnel.

Link noticed that it began to get hot: really hot. When they emerged from the tunnel, Link discovered why. The room was almost completely covered in fresh-flowing lava, excluding a few islands scattered throughout the room, including the one they were currently standing on. Just ahead of them, small islands were scattered throughout the large, lava-filled space. There was just enough space between them, so that Link knew that jumping would be the only way across.

Maple turned to look at Link, her face gleaming from fresh sweat. Link imagined that he looked very much the same. "Are you ready?" She asked.

Link nodded. "Just follow me."

Link then took off down the small slope to his right, which curved around to the left. Once there, Link jumped the small gap to the nearest island, across the pulsing lava below. Link didn't even hesitate when he landed. Instantly, he pushed off again, landing on another one to his left. He briefly stopped and looked back to see Maple jumping the first gap, a smile of ease on her face. Link smiled as well, turned, and stopped himself from jumping just when a geyser of lava shot out from the pool below, blocking his path. Link stepped back slightly, hoping that no stray splatter of lava would land on him.

"Don't move!" Maple said from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see another geyser blocking the path behind him. "Stay put and the lava won't touch you."

Link did as she said, moving back to where he had been before, and then going still. When the geyser sputtered, it finally fell back into the pool.

"Go!" Link yelled as he jumped the gap to the larger island in front of him. He heard Maple's feet touch ground, and then touch again as she landed behind him. Link then walked around the slightly curved island, and stopped at the edge when another geyser erupted from the pool.

"These things are all over the place," Link said when he felt Maple lightly touch his back, informing him of her presence.

"Yes, they are."

The geyser ceased, and Link jumped the gap, Maple close behind. They both quickly jumped the last few gaps before the geysers had another moment to rise.

Link sighed as he bent over his knees, letting out a large breath. It was just too hot in this area to be exerting himself like he was. Much more of this nonsense, and he'd fall down dead.

Maple appeared at his side, resting her hand on his back. Instantly, he felt his body temperature cool. His breathing became easier.

Link stood up straight. "Thanks," He said. Maple just shrugged and pointed ahead of them.

Link followed her gesture. Ahead of them, Link could see a series of metal grates blocking the edges of the large island they were standing on, so they could not fall in (guess the Goron's couldn't have thought to install them throughout the entire room, huh?).

There was a gap in the grate ahead of them, lining a small path that led downward and farther into the room.

Link nodded and walked down the path. It went a few feet, and then it curved off to the left, opening up into a somewhat large space with a strange tile off in one corner. Link ignored it and turned to his right, only to find his path blocked by some weak wood, which had been nailed across the next path ahead. Plus, on the other side, Link could see a great geyser of lava shooting horizontally out of the wall to his left, completely blocking his path onward.

Maple laughed as she reached over and unsheathed his sword. Then, with more ease than Link would have expected, she swung the sword, hitting the wood blocking their path. The sound of splintering wood filled Link's ears as the wood crashed to the ground, opening the path. She then turned and handed him the sword, a smile completely taken over her face.

"Uh, I could've gotten that," Link said, his cheeks burning slightly.

"Yes, I know. But, it's been awhile since I've got to use a sword, so I figured that I would have at it." She winked as she disappeared behind him.

"What about that geyser? I don't think you can just hack away at that..."

Maple laughed. "Look around, silly."

Link sighed as he turned and scanned the floor around him. His eyes then hit the strange tile off to his right, stuffed in the corner.

Link moaned. How could he have been so oblivious? It was a switch! He should have known when he first saw it!

Link walked over and stepped on the switch, letting his full weight press it down.

Nothing happened.

"You're too light," Maple said. "Here." She snapped her fingers, and Link felt his body sink and knees snap downward as the Iron Boots appeared on his feet. The switch then depressed, causing the geyser to stop its endless flow.

"Let's go," Maple said, snapping her fingers to switch the boots. She then grabbed his arm and began pulling him toward the path she had unblocked. "We haven't much time. Hurry! I'm afraid the geyser will begin to spew again."

Link followed her down the newest path, where it opened back up to the lava. She didn't stop, however, and she turned 180 degrees to the right. The path dead-ended, with a single ladder on the far wall. Link immediately ran ahead of her, grabbing onto the ladder and pulling himself up. When he reached the top, he turned and helped Maple up the rest of the way. She then sighed as she brushed herself off. Link took the moment to observe his surroundings.

They were on the floor above the island they had been on before. Part of the floor was made from the metal grates that had sealed them away from the edge of the island, ensuring their safety. Now, they were a little over thirty feet above the raging lava, with death just a small mistake away.

Link slightly shivered.

Maple then walked ahead of him, pulling him along, their footsteps clanking loudly against the metal grate they were standing on. When Maple turned away from him, she jumped and screamed when a strange slug-like creature fell from the ceiling, its body completely engulfed in flames.

Instantly, Link unsheathed his sword and brought it down on the creature's head. The flame went out, but the slug still managed to slither and slide toward Maple. Link brought it down once more, felling the creature.

As it exploded, Link sheathed his sword.

"Why did that small thing scare you? I've seen you face worse without an ounce of fear in your eyes."

"I just...wasn't expecting that, that's all," She said, brushing her hair out of her face, to no avail. Her face was drenched in sweat, so her hair just clung to her cheeks and forehead as though they had been glued. Link, too, moved hair out of his face, taking his hat off as he did. Feeling relief at the removal of his hat, he stuffed the thing in his bag. He then started pulling off all of his bags and belts. He then pulled off his green tunic, exposing his tan undershirt.

In the middle of putting back on all of his gear, Maple giggled.

"What?" Link asked, as he threw his sheath around his shoulder.

"You are amusing."

"Why do you say that?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess I try to find you amusing, since I cannot just peel off layers as you are."

Link grinned and pretended to tighten his strap. "I'm not stopping you."

Maple said nothing. When Link looked up, she was frowning, but she instantly smiled.

"Sorry, but I'd rather not."

"Okay, but, really, I'm not stopping you. If you get hot... I won't blame you."

Maple shook her head, turned, and crossed the gap to a small, metal-grate island ahead of them. She then jumped again, to a small ledge that lined the wall opposite from them. She then turned to him and waved at him to follow.

Link pushed off the ground, landing on the metal with a loud 'clang'! He then took one stride, and jumped again, landing next to Maple with relative ease.

"There's another geyser of lava blocking the path over there." She pointed to her right, Link's left. He followed her gaze and, sure enough, about thirty feet away, was another giant geyser flowing directly toward them. "The switch is over there." She pointed to her other side. Just then, she sighed and quickly nocked an arrow, letting three fly one after the other with such ease that Link couldn't help but be envious.

Three slugs hit the ground, exploding seconds later. Next to where their bodies had been before they exploded, was a switch. Link nodded and walked the short distance, letting Maple switch his boots for him as he put his weight upon the tile. He felt it depress with a 'click.'

"Come!" Maple said waving for him to follow. He did, chasing after her as she ran and shot down a couple more slugs. Then, he saw her jump, landing in a suspended metal cage, where she turned right and disappeared. Link jumped as well, turning the corner, stopping just next to her.

"The door's blocked off. We need to find a way to open it," She said as she jumped down from the platform they were standing on. Link followed her, using his sword to take down some of his own kills. He then turned and joined Maple in examining the area around them, looking for some kind of switch.

"What's that?" Link asked, pointing to strange suspended platform above them. It was attached to the wall with a strong metal bar. Where the metal bar attached to the wall, was an indentation, as though the platform could rise and fall.

"I don't know. Try standing on it."

Link nodded as he turned and made his way up so that he was level with the platform, jumping on it once he was. He took in a sharp breath when he felt it fall a few inches with his weight.

He didn't need to say anything; Maple had been watching. He felt himself grow heavy as Maple switched his boots.

At first, nothing happened. Link sighed and was just about to jump off, when he heard something inside of the platform click. He then felt a rush of air as the platform fell into the crevice below it, causing it to lock in place.

Link smiled when he turned to see the door opening.

"Okay, let's go."

Hope this was good enough. Describing the rooms in this temple is going to get difficult, but I'll try my best. Hope you guys enjoy!