Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait for an update, but classes are killer :) I've finally had a moment to sit down and write, so I figured I'd update for y'all!

Oh, and I created an account with deviant art, so I could post drawings I've done and that I'm proud of (which includes ones for this story). If you're interested in seeing some of the stuff I've done, go to my profile and use the link I posted on it. And, at this point, I don't have much on the site, but more will come! I'm working on a (current) drawing of Maple at the moment, so watch for it sometime soon :)

Thanks!

The room we entered was much cooler than the room we had just come through, because of the open sky above. We were standing on a long stretch of metal scaffolding, suspended over one hundred feet above the lava. The metal scaffolding was spread out through the entire room, including around the room's center rock, which protruded out from the lava over-one hundred feet above our heads. Standing on that section of scaffolding, were two Bulblin guards.

The scaffolding also scaled down to our right, so that it was just feet from the lava. I could see more Bulblin guards down on that section as well.

"Look at those," Link said as he tapped my shoulder, pointing to something above our heads. I followed his gesture, and saw a giant magnet hanging from a mechanism off to our left. "What is that?" He asked.

"A magnet."

"How do you know that?" He asked.

I hesitated briefly. I knew, because I had helped the Gorons, many years ago, set up the inside of the Goron Mines. Naturally, I knew that there were many large magnets in this place.

But, he couldn't know that.

"I just guessed."

"Oh. Then we'll see later on, I guess, whether you are right or not."

I just nodded. I was too busy trying to remember where everything was at. I knew there was a door off to our right, but the Gorons probably would have locked it by now. Sure enough, I could see the large, shiny lock in the distance.

"We need to find a key."

I saw Link glance over at the locked door in the distance. "Okay. Where do you think it would be?"

I shrugged. "Look around. It's gotta be around here somewhere..."

Link nodded as he started walking forward, and turned left. He then started walking down the steep incline the scaffolding made. I followed.

I easily shot down the farthest Bulblin from us, while Link struck the closest one with his sword. After that, a strange wind filled the room, leaving behind a small chest against the wall to our left, in between two lit torches.

"There's our key," I said, after the chest finished materializing. Link responded by walked over to it, and kicking it open. He then reached in, dug through the hay inside of it, and pulled out a key.

"Can you shoot down those archer Bulbins over there?" Link asked as he pocketed the key. I followed his gaze to the center rock, where the two guards were stationed.

"No. They are too far for my arrows to reach."

"What about using your--"

"No," I sternly said. Link nodded, but his eyes hid sadness, almost as if he thought I had become mad at him.

It wasn't that I was mad at him. It was just that I wasn't meant to do his job as the Hero for him. I was only here to make sure that he didn't get hurt, and to make sure that he was successful. So, basically, it was his job to kill the majority of the baddies we would run across.

Not that I wouldn't mind helping him... It was just my sister's who would really care... And pissing them off was not a good idea...

I took in a deep breath, and repeated myself more calmly, "No, I can't. I'm not the hero in this room." I then turned to Link and smiled.

He smiled back, and shyly looked away as he sheathed his sword. "How do you know that you aren't a hero yourself?" He asked, looking me in the eye.

I eventually had to look away from his piercing blue eyes, but never answered his question. I knew I wasn't a hero, but the reasons why weren't explainable to him at this point.

And that's how it went, for the next two hours. Link would do all of the fighting, while I led him around the mines, without being obvious that I had been there before.

We learned, not long after entering the mines, that we needed three pieces to a great key. Apparently, when Darbus had touched the Fused Shadow deep in the mines, he got out of control, and had to be locked away in the chamber the Fused Shadow was held in. The key was the way into that chamber. Each piece was held by an elder, so we had to make sure we explored the whole area before we could obtain the Fused Shadow.

Again, the Gorons couldn't have made this journey any easier, could they?

The Iron Boots proved to come even more in handy than it had before, since the magnets scattered throughout the mines pulled the boots so tight to the walls and floors, that Link could literally walk on the ceiling if he wanted. Whenever we needed to cross a room with the Iron Boots, I would just hop onto Link's back and hold on for dear life as he walked around on the walls and ceiling as if we were still standing on the floor.

Right after we collected the second piece to the key, we ran into some trouble.

The room we entered was just a large lava pit. In the center, a large, round platform (completely made out of the magnet-mineral) was chained high above the lava, just a small jump from the ledge we were standing on. On the other side of the room, was another ledge. On it, was a large Goron, easily twice the size of the biggest Goron we had seen thus far. He was sleeping, his metal helmet covering his large face.

Link lightly grabbed my hand and led me to the edge of the cliff. He then let go as he jumped onto the platform. I easily followed him.

The sound of our feet hitting the ground must have woken up the giant Goron, because he shook his head and stood up.

"Whoa... Humans?!" He said when he saw us. "What business do humans have coming here?! None! No business! This is a forbidden place! I will protect this treasure from you!" He then jumped high into the air, landing so hard on the platform that the chains holding it in place broke.

Link and I both screamed as the platform fell, causing both of us to get thrown off of our feet.

The platform landed hard in the lava below, but we didn't start to sink. Instead, the platform started floating awkwardly on top of the lava, spinning slowly.

I watched as Link sprang to his feet, unsheathing his sword. The Goron walked toward us, his arm raised high above his head, ready to strike...

His belly flopping around, completely exposed...

"HIT HIS STOMACH!" I yelled.

Link didn't even hesitate. Link brought his sword down into the belly of the giant Goron. The Goron screamed in response, instantly curling into a large ball.

I jumped up and snapped my fingers, magically switching Link's boots for him. Link quickly sheathed his sword and readied himself for the coming impact.

The Goron's collision with Link rang through my ears, causing me to throw my hands over them. I felt my body respond to Link's pain as the Goron crashed into him at full-speed. It was strong enough that I wasn't able to hold back my scream of pain as I hunched over, grabbing my back and falling to the floor. Link's scream melted with mine as he heaved the Goron over his shoulder, tossing him into the lava below.

The Goron screamed in pain as he grabbed the edge of the platform, pulling himself back onto the platform, smelling of burning flesh and hot metal.

Link quickly pulled me back up as the Goron approached us again, his arm above his head as it had been before.

"I'll keep the boots on for now. Just try not to get hurt," Link said as he turned back around, slowly walking toward the Goron, the added pull of the magnet slowing him more that just wearing the boots would do. Link's sword was in his hand once again, ready to swing...

Link's sword and the Goron's belly came in contact, causing the Goron to curl into his ball once again.

I jumped out of the way as the Goron rolled after Link, who was ready. I braced myself, just before they came in contact. But, it wasn't enough. I was still thrown to the ground as Link was hit.

The Goron was thrown into the lava again. Link and I could do nothing but watch as the Goron pulled himself back up. We were just in too much pain to do more than we needed.

We went through the horrible ordeal one last time. Both of us were sprawled out on the ground when the Goron pulled himself up one last time, pulling his helmet off as he approached us. He then sat down next to us, heaving as he did.

"Ugh... That...hurt a lot. Who knew that humans were capable of such feats of strength..." He stood up. "Uh... Maybe...you are...going to see the patriarch of our tribe?"

"Yes," Link said as he stood up, ignoring the pain that was shooting through both of our bodies, "we've come to free him."

"... Ah!" The Goron said. "So THAT is why you are here! In that case, take the weapon of the Hero of the past... But in exchange, you must save the patriarch of our tribe!"

I managed to stand at that point.

"How do we get out of here, though?" Link asked after I brushed myself off. I sighed and snapped my fingers, causing the lava to rise, so that we could reach the ledge that was so far above us. Link laughed and winked at me.

The Goron looked at us with wide eyes. "With skills like yours, even the patriarch can be brought back to his senses... Take the Hero's weapon and save our patriarch!"

Link nodded as he grabbed my hands, instantly sending a healing sensation through his body, relieving both of us. He then led me to the edge of the platform, helping me over the gap to the ledge.

Sorry it's a little shorter than usual, but I woke up this morning (I wrote half of this ch. last night) with a cold, so I'm not feeling all that great. I also didn't proofread when I finished, so just ignore any mistakes you see (plz)

Hope you guys enjoyed it!