I want to thank everyone who has been reading my story so far. I hope you will continue to like it. I am sorry I took such a long break. Please if you enjoy the story, review review review!!!

The Figure

"To get to the Death Mountain trail you must first pass through Kakariko village, my birth town." Impa stood with Link outside the castle gates. "To get there you must pass through Castle Town and turn to the east. You will cross over a river then approach the Great Stone Way. The stairs will take you to the village." Link nodded and began to walk away but Impa laid a hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. "You will need this," She handed out a written statement and Link took it curiously. "It is a Script of Pass. Give it to the guard at the gates to the mountain pass and he will let you through." Link stood there for a moment then turned and ran off quickly.

That was a very interesting conversation. Navi was preening his hair like a small monkey, hiding from the people of Castle Town beneath Link's hood.

Very, there is so much more to this world than I could have ever dreamed.

The princess is very wise. She seems much older than her short years.

Link cocked an eyebrow as he ran swiftly by a particularly affectionate couple. How old are you?

Navi made a raspberry sound and tugged roughly on a strand of hair. Never ask a lady her age!

Link laughed out loud. As scary as the upcoming trip to Death Mountain was, Link felt in particular good spirits. An excitement rushed through his blood making him feel slightly chilled and bringing a flush to his cheeks.

The Townspeople had little time to stop and watch the odd little boy in forest green run through its streets. The sun had dipped slightly below the horizon and it was time for street venders to cover their wears for the night.

It's very late; I don't think we should leave till tomorrow. Remember what Talon said about the Stall children?

Link, I don't think we have time to wait. That Gannondorf fellow is sure to know where the next stones are. We have to get there before him.

Link nodded but said, Yes but if I get dragged underground and turned into those things, Gannondorf will get the stones for sure!

Navi threw herself down on the soft hair with a huff. I guess you're right. But where will we stay. Do you have the rupees to stay in an inn?

I don't know. I think so. Link slowed down to a walk and tried to catch his breath. Over a few buildings he could see the draw bridge slowly drawn up. Well we are stuck here till morning whether we like it or not.

Oh, Navi sighed, if only we had the power to turn night into day.

Link laughed.

Link's menial amount of rupees had gotten them stay in a rather stale and drafty inn on the edge of town that was built right into the Castle Town walls. Comfort was obviously not considered a necessity and food was not provided, yet Link slept like a baby. When he woke Navi was fluttering about a small window, a lightly woven curtain the only separation between the room, and the cold outside. Link stood and tugged on his green tunic.

I need food. He thought groggily.

Yes I am sure you will find some in town today.

I almost left without some last night. Don't you need anything to eat?

My kind can live off of the morning dew, but milk is always welcome.

Link looked at his small friend with curiosity and interest, not for the first time and defiantly not the last. He lifted his new cap and offered his head to Navi before placing it firmly on his head.

As usual the Castle Town was loud and full of bright excitement. Just walking from the inn to a small cheese stand was enough to get pump Link with energy. After Link loaded a small oilcloth sack and placed it in his, now bulging, side pack, he made his way over the drawbridge and out onto the overgrown path that led east toward the monolithic stone giants.

I like the look of the mountains. You don't get to see them from the forest.

You don't seem surprised, have you seen them before?

Oh…uh yeah. I saw them when I came with the others for Festival day. I thought I told you that. Weren't you surprised that I knew my way to the castle?

You didn't really though, Navi flitted out from beneath Link's hat. You got lost a few times.

Link waved her comment away. As he walked on the road beneath him became a cobbled path, and then broke away into the field.

Uh… Navi… the road is gone.

Navi, who was hovering over a small group of flowers, looked up and flew to Link slightly agitatedly.

Just keep going. See there is the river, and the Kakariko Bridge. Just follow that over and continue toward the cliffs. Impa said we should see the Great Stair easily.

Link shrugged and continued walking on toward the distant cliffs. Navi seemed disinterested in conversation so Link pulled from his pack Saria's ocarina and began to play a happy tune.

Link look! The music was interrupted by a mental scream from Navi. Looking in the direction she was pointing, the young boy's jaw dropped. Not far from the Kakariko bridge, hovered a hazy form. The sun was high in the sky yet the form had no shadow. He approached the form slowly not wanting to startle it if it was unfriendly.

As he drew closer it was clear that the form was that of a man. He was short and rather fat, yet he had no substance, nor did his feet touch the ground. The ghost man beckoned to Link eagerly. When he was little more than two stretches away the figure spoke.

Find me. As it was with Navi and the Great Deku, the voice emanated from his mind. Find me.

"What?" Link said aloud.

Find me. It said again softly before fading away into the daylight. Link stood there mouth open, one eyebrow raised high. Navi did not look so different.

What do you think that was all about?

"I don't know." He did not like the feeling of the figures voice in his mind. It was cold and lost. He spoke aloud wanting to banish the feeling from the air around him. "He was scary. Whoa, the bridge is really big."

He crossed the bridge marveling over its large make openly, trying to drive the cold feelings away.

Yes, I believe it was made by the Gorons.

"I saw some Gorons at the Festival. I never realized they were so big."

Look the stairs, Impa was right. They are hard to miss.

After crossing the bridge Link made his way to the Great Stone Way and looked up the countless stairs that were carved into the cliffs.

"This is going to take a while."

By the time they had reached the final landing, Link had rested four times and had eaten half his store of cheese. The sun was well past its zenith and was not far above the towering trees to the west. Link and Navi hurried through the gates and into the small town.

Kakariko village was not nearly as large or as noisy as Castle Town, but it was infinitely more beautiful. There were beautiful gardens near the houses, and decorative trees planted here and there. Link smiled while looking at it and realized it had a peaceful home-like feeling. It was hardly quiet however, Link noticed the sounds of construction not far from where he stood, and saw the loose timbers peeking out from behind a nearby building.

A man approached Link with a large smile on his face. "Welcome to Kakariko village wanderer. You are not from around here, are you?"

Link had to grab hold of his hat to keep it from falling off when Navi had dodged inside. He looked up at the man, slightly flushed, and shook his head.

The man laughed, "No sir, you have a wild look about you, from a forest village I would say. Am I right?"

Link nodded his head again wondering if the man new about to Kokiri.

I am sure there are Hylian villages in the forest too. Navi thought to him. Link had never thought about that before.

Again the man had laughed at Link's silence. His face became redder.

Why does everyone laugh at me?

"Well may I ask what brings you to the village?" Link reached into his bulging pack and pulled out the roll of parchment Impa had given him, and handed it to the man. When the man saw what was written on it, his eyes grew large.

"Whoa now, this is a statement in Impa's own hand; I would know it anywhere. Signed by the princess as well." He rolled the parchment up and handed it back to Link. "You must be on quite the mission." He sized Link up as though he did not think he would last long in the mountains, then smiled.

"Permit me to give you a meal before you go?"

Link hesitated and the man burst out in laughter once more.

People sure are in good humor around here. Navi commented.

"Excuse me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Grego, the mayor's brother." He bent down and whispered to Link as though it were a great secrete, "He ain't the nicest mayor around! That's him there," He jerked his head indicating a man who leaned against a near-by tree brooding. Grego then slapped Link gently on the shoulder. "Well my house is just up this way. Care for a bite?"

Link was dead tired, and knew the sun would be going down soon. He looked up at the man and smiled slightly. "Yes thank you."

Of course, the man burst out laughing again. "You are quite the surprising fellow. Right this way," and led him away toward his house.

Before he turned to leave, Link saw something out of the corner of his eye. When he turned to see what it was, he suddenly grew cold. It was the figure from the bridge and it was staring right at him.

Find me…