The Sages Wait

by Scrapbastard

Ever wonder what the sages get up to while they're sitting around in the Chamber of Sages? How do they pass the time? Do they get along? That's what this story is about. One chapter on each of the Sages, as they are brought to the chamber. That means, first Rauru, thaen Saria, then Darunia, etc. There will be laughs, there will be tears. Please give it a read, if you're interested!

7. Chapter 7, The End

Hey everyone! Scrap here. This is it! Oh man, this chapter took forever, didn't it? But it's here! I hope you enjoy it. Check in after the ending for a special Author's note, and also, a request! As always, please review if you uh... feel like it!

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The air in the chamber was electric and alive, and tingled with nervous tension. Each Sage stood in their proper places upon the pedestals, each trying, in their own way, to calm their nerves. It was quiet, almost like a vacuum.

Rauru meditated, though he couldn't get his thoughts off the situation. Saria's attempts to play her ocarina ended in musical disasters. Darunia fidgeted nervously, never sitting completely still, rocking back and forth. Ruto looked around the chamber at each of the sages, forcing a smile at each, waiting for someone to say something. Impa simply stood, arms crossed and foot tapping, and finally, Nabooru sat, staring out into the distance.

"Six barriers, six sages..." Darunia muttered to himself. The others all looked to him, waiting for him to continue, but he said no more.

"That is my understanding, yes." Rauru said to no one in particular, scratching his chin thoughtlessly. Now the sages, whose gaze had been fixed on their Goron companion, turned to acknowledge the sage of light instead. But he remained quiet as well.

Not an hour ago, the sages had all been struck simultaneously with some ancient knowledge. All at once, and from seemingly nowhere, they all knew exactly what was required of them as sages.

Their first task was to construct a bridge to the enemy stronghold, a fearsome tower that stood where Hyrule Castle had once been. They did so easily, projecting their combined powers into Hyrule. It was a glorious moment for all of them, they're first real strike against the enemy. Together, they granted their hero a way forward, straight into Ganondorf's castle.

As wonderful as it had been, it was also terrifying. None of them knew exactly what they had to do, only that they had to do it. They had been told to make a bridge, but had not been given any instructions on how to do so. Each had the fear of failure hanging over them. But they focused, and, some way or another, they had willed a bridge into the world. It was mystifying.

Next, they knew each had an individual role to fulfill. There were six barriers, one for each sage, which blocked the way to Ganondorf. Their second duty would be to clear these obstructions, but again, they hadn't the slightest inclination as to how they would go about it. Until the time was right, they waited.

The sages needed no special insight for their final mission. They all knew right from the start what they were there for. When the moment came, they would strike, sealing Ganondorf away for all of time. That was the moment they all anticipated.

"I told you we'd know what to do when the time came!" Ruto laughed, attempting to strike up conversation and ease everyone's nerves. "Am I ever wrong? Of course not, don't bother answering that." She said, waving her hand in no one's direction.

"I'm excited!" Saria screamed, making everyone in the room leap. "I wonder if Ganondorf will see us before it happens. I want him to know who did him in!" She cackled. The others stared at her, in shock at her unusually malicious words. Saria was normally very gentle.

Saria stared back, wide eyed and innocent. It was hard to believe she had said something so aggressive. She shrugged at them, smiling as if nothing happened.

"I can't be the only one!" She insisted.

"Agreed." Nabooru conceded, though she didn't look as confident as she seemed. "I want to see him, one last time. I want to know if..." She trailed off, gripping her arm and diverting her eyes so as not to look at any of the sages.

"Are you going to be okay?" Impa asked, concerned. Nabooru looked up at her, no expression in her face. "I know he was your friend once." She said, genuine concern in her tone.

Nabooru and Impa had become close since their first encounter. They bonded over their struggles and tribulations, and it all culminated in a powerful friendship. Nabooru certainly preferred it over the bitter rivalry it seemed to start as.

"Yes," Nabooru nodded, "I'll be fine. I wanted to see if there was anything left of the man I knew, but..." She paused, inhaling, "there's isn't. I'm not sure what happened, or when, but he's become a real pig!" She spat.

The others applauded her strength. She smiled, and thanked them all. It seemed the sages were still capable of joviality, even in times of great stress. It was a helpful distraction.

"I want to see him before we seal him up, alright." The desert sage hollered. "I want to see him regret ever double crossing me!"

The others cheered, and Darunia even stomped loudly, shaking the whole chamber. Her words breathed new life in to the sages. There was less fear and more determination in the air. The sages were still anxious, of course, but now it was for a different reason.

"I know I want a chance at him!" Darunia exploded, his voice quaking the air itself. He slammed his fists into each other furiously. "I want to cordially thank him for the opportunity he so kindly provided. The opportunity to watch him fall." He laughed, deep and guttural. The others cheered him on as well.

"If I were to see him," Ruto added, always eager to hear her own voice, "I doubt he'd be surprised. After all, he knows we're the real threat. I'd consider him lucky if my beautiful face was the last thing he saw!" The others all laughed at her sentiment, but no one could disagree.

"If he and I were to meet formally, I'd apologize." Impa said quietly, her eyes closed and her face fixed in a neutral expression. The others all looked at her, curiously, or perhaps concerned. After a short time, she smiled and continued. "I'd tell him I was sorry that I was too busy to come deal with him personally!" She yelled, the blazing confidence piercing in her voice every corner of the room. The others laughed and hollered and Saria even ran over to give her a high five.

Bu when Rauru's turn came, he remained silent. The others, expecting at least a little revelry, all attempted to coax him on with encouraging shouts, but he kept quiet. The others had nearly given up when he began to speak.

"I have no desire to speak with that man." He said, disappointing the others. "Why waste my time with someone so inconsequential?" He riffed with a subtle grin.

The room exploded in laughter and cheers, louder than it had been previously. Even Rauru chortled, his chubby face vibrating with each laugh. Darunia began to dance, Saria joined him, and even Impa, normally a stone wall, nodded, satisfactorily. It was almost as if a party had begun in the chamber to celebrate the coming conclusion.

They romped for just a while longer until Rauru brought their focus back to the task at hand.

"We can celebrate all we want..." He began, but his words got caught his throat. His expression became very serious, and his eyes darted across the room. "Er… After."

"Hey, Rauru," Darunia started, concerned for the eldest sage, "something the matter?"

Rauru cleared his throat, wiped some sweat from his brow, and held up a reassuring hand. Then, coming back to his senses, he smiled.

"Of course. As I was saying, we can celebrate after we are free of this place." He continued. Still, something seemed forced about his statement. The other sages, too clever to miss something so obvious, directed their full attention to Rauru.

"What's wrong, Baldy?" Nabooru asked, unsure. She didn't need the old guy keeling over before they had done what they needed to do. In fact, she didn't want the old guy keeling over at all. She considered that a moderate improvement of temperament for herself.

"You look shaken." Ruto added, normal smile now replaced with a softly wrinkled look of worry. She was generally self-centered, but that certainly didn't mean she would dismiss the concerns of her friends.

"Yes, yes, I promise you, I'm perfectly fine. I suppose it's just nerves." Rauru smiled and nodded, putting the others at ease. There was something he had to tell them, something that he had realized not too long ago. But he kept it to himself, for now. He didn't want to burden the others before the big moment.

Several minutes passed with idle chit chat before Nabooru groaned and drew everyone's attention. She tapped her foot anxiously on the floor and crossed her arms, biting her lower lip.

"Growing impatient, Nabooru?" Impa asked, seeing her fidget uncomfortably. Nabooru nodded and sighed.

"Agreed!" Ruto growled. "I respect that this is probably a very hard thing for Link to go through, but a lady can't be kept waiting forever!" She continued, stomping her foot somewhat childishly.

"I'm sure he's doing his best." Saria assured from her pedestal, though she, too, was growing anxious. She tried to continue her sentence, when Darunia spoke and cut her off.

"I'm gettin' frantic in here!" He yelled, face turned toward the sky. "Hear that Link? Get moving out there!" He boomed, so loud, it seemed like Link might actually hear it. Of course, nothing responded but a faint echo of his own words.

"The worst part," Nabooru continued, staring around the chamber of sages, then closing her eyes to gather her thoughts, "Is not knowing! After all, what if we missed our opportunity to deactivate the barriers?"

She opened her eyes to find herself in a completely new location. Suddenly panicked she looked around the new area, completely speechless. It was a small, dark chamber, with two torches on either side, but otherwise, it was featureless.

"What in the world?" She asked herself. She blinked a few times. Perhaps it was all her imagination. But the longer she tried, the clearer it became. She was in another place, where just a few moments ago she had been standing in the Chamber of Sages. Now she appeared to be floating in a dank dungeon room. It was a significantly jarring.

Then she realized she was not alone. Spinning around in place, she saw a familiar face, looking just as shocked as she did. It was none other than Link, the hero who had awakened her as a sage. It took her no time at all to realize what had happened.

She was standing, or rather, floating, in Ganondorf's Tower. This was where she would deactivate her barrier. It all made sense. She snapped her fingers, impressed by her own genius and by how quickly she had pieced it all together.

"Link!" She greeted the young man standing before her, who waved awkwardly. The two were still getting over the shock. "Long time no see!"

"I suppose it hasn't been that long." She mused. The boy smiled, sheathing his sword and shield. "Kid, you would not believe the time I've been having in the Chamber." She explained, using her endearing nick name as a substitute for his proper name.

"I met all the other sages." She continued, "They're good people. We all think the world of you, by the way. We're almost like your fan club."

Link blushed and scratched the back of his head humbly. Nabooru laughed. The kid hardly ever spoke, which was one of the strange things about him. Still, Nabooru didn't mind. He'd been this way since he was a child.

"I met Ruto, by the way." She said, grinning mischievously. "Good luck with her! She's a fire cracker." She taunted. Link sighed and nodded, and she laughed again. "And Darunia, too! Oh, you should see him try to dance."

"Oh, but, I'm getting off track! You need my help! I must have been distracted. It's just..." She trailed off, her smile slowly fading from her face. She looked down from her lofty position thoughtfully.

For a short moment, she reflected on her time with the sages. It had been brief, but unforgettable. In her time with them, Nabooru had experienced a range of emotions, heard incredible stories, and learned some humbling lessons. But just being in this new place, speaking to Link, meant that short chapter of her life was coming to a close.

"It's just that I learned a lot from them all." She said, picking up where she had left off. "They're wonderful people, kid. And I don't just mean they're good company either! They are genuinely good souls, and..." She trailed off again, folding her arms, uncertainty creeping through her face.

"I don't really measure up to that, you know?" She sighed. Link seemed taken aback, and shook his head, disagreeing. Nabooru didn't pay any attention to that.

"You're a good person, Link. The sages are good people. But I'm not even close to the kind of good that they are." She continued. "I lie, and cheat, and use people. I used you, when you were a kid."

Link shook his head again, but Nabooru would have none of his silent protests. Instead, she reflected on her life. She'd never been too concerned with morals until she met the sages. Until she learned about her fate. Before that, she would never have gotten depressed over something so abstract and subjective.

Meeting the sages changed all that. Such an assembly, unified for such a grand purpose, made her reevaluate her life thus far. There were things in the world far greater than she was, things that demanded strong hearted, powerful individuals to change. She had wasted her time pursuing frivolous things, never truly working toward a greater goal.

The other sages had devoted their lives to others. They spent every moment leading or protecting. Nabooru was an outlier. She could not claim the same thing. It made her wonder why fate had chosen her to become a sage.

But Nabooru was far too clever to wonder for long. In that instant, floating there in the tower, she came to realize exactly why she had been chosen.

"Then again, maybe this is a test." She continued. Link seemed confused, he scratched his head in wonder. "Perhaps I'm a sage because it will make me a better person. I mean, any one that has a hand in bringing down Ganondorf is already pretty great, but perhaps I'm meant to take a lesson away from all of this." She mused. It made sense to her, and apparently Link, as well. His face lit up and he smiled happily.

"Alright, there it is!" She said, clapping her hands, new found will growing inside her. "Thanks for helping me sort some things out, Kid." She said. Link shrugged, humbly.

Nabooru took a moment to concentrate. She could feel a mystic power flowing through her veins, and she knew what she had to do. She focused it all on a single point with in the tower, and within a moment, it was over.

"Alright, Kid. The Barrier of Spirit is down. When you see that fool," She said, cracking her knuckles, "Tell him I said 'Bye'!"

She laughed with glee as Link nodded and ran out of the room. She watched him go, still absorbed in her laughter. Her only regret was that she would be unable to see Ganondorf's smug visage turn to horror as he was sealed away.

When, at last, she had regained her composure, she realized that she had once again teleported. She was back in the chamber, the others looking on in worry.

"Nabooru!" Saria exclaimed, hopping of her pedestal and running over. The others joined her. "Thank goodness!"

Nabooru laughed again, only serving to worry the others further. Saria called her name again, and she laid a hand on the girl's head to ensure her that everything was fine. She was simply happy.

"You disappeared right in the middle of talking!" Darunia cried out, voice thick with fret. "There was some light, and then you were gone!"

Nabooru smiled. It was all very amusing to her. Still, she didn't want them to worry, they were her friends after all. She nodded and assured them that she was okay.

"What happened?" Ruto asked. Nabooru wondered about that herself. Though she wasn't exactly sure how she got to the tower, or how she defeated the barrier, she knew she had fulfilled another part of her role as a sage. It was no small accomplishment, and being the first filled her with some smug pride.

"You'll never guess who I just saw!" She mocked, a knowing smile creasing folds in her face. The others all seemed to understand clearly what had transpired, and she nodded to confirm their suspicions. When the mood settled, and everyone returned to their places, she continued explaining.

"When I opened my eyes, I found myself in Ganondorf's tower. Link stood before me, just like I had left him. We talked, or well, I talked at him for a while, and then I dispelled my barrier. Pretty simple." She boasted. It seemed so simple when she put it like that, but for the other sages, it had been a frightening experience.

"To think, we were all worried." Impa muttered, folding her arms, and even flushing red with embarrassment. Nabooru shrugged complacently. Impa felt it should have annoyed her, but she was too relieved to really care.

"Oh, you should have seen Impa get all worked up!" Saria teased. Impa shot her a terrifying look that shut her up.

"You should know not to worry about Nabooru!" Ruto teased. She and Nabooru had long since put aside their differences and become close, just as she had with Impa. They had more in common than they initially thought, and spent long hours discussing the struggles that came with being amazing. "She can take care of herself." Ruto added.

"Of course I can." Nabooru agreed. Impa nodded and dropped the subject. Whether she could take care of herself or not didn't matter to her. All that mattered was that she was safe.

"The hour is drawing close at hand." Rauru declared, changing the topic. It was a solemn notion. Rauru relished in the time he spent here, and never wanted to see it end. Still, all things must one day come to an end. His time was running short. "I find myself incapable of thinking about anything else."

"You should try and relax, Rauru." Saria insisted. "If you worry too much, you'll stress yourself out!" Rauru looked down at her and laughed.

"Child, I have been stressed since long before you were born." He assured. Saria cocked her head, not understanding. "I do not intend to change that now."

The others didn't laugh with him. Rauru's age seemed to show more as if late, the wrinkles in his face were more apparent, and he moved slower than before. It was clear he was under great strain. He behaved, however, as he always did. He had no intention of letting the sages worry over him.

"Say..." Darunia began, scratching his head. He wasn't really sure if he should be asking what he was about to ask. "How long have you been kickin', anyway?"

"Darunia!" Impa scolded. Nabooru burst into a fit of laughter, and Ruto giggled to herself. Darunia hung his head in shame, wishing he hadn't asked.

"No, no," Rauru insisted, raising a hand to Darunia, who lifted his head up from its craned position. "It's perfectly fine. I get that question more than you might think."

He closed his eyes and tried to remember as far back as he could. It was a difficult task, Rauru had been alive longer than most things in Hyrule. He shifted his head around, at one point, even counted to himself. The years slid by him like ice, and he often lost track of his own age. After a very long periodic reflection, Rauru finally opened his eyes again.

"I have been alive since before Volvagia was sealed away the first time, Darunia." He eventually concluded. He remembered that crisis well. "I have met Saria's Great Deku Tree when it was just a sapling, I was well into adulthood when Ruto's father was a boy. I was around when the Sheikah tribe founded Kakariko village, and even alive to meet the last three King of the Gerudo." He continued, giving them all an approximation of his age. The others ogled him as he stroked his chin casually. To him, it was nothing, but to them, he was an artifact. A national treasure. An archive.

"That's..." Saria murmured. He nodded. Silence was the best way to describe the amount of time she was thinking of.

"You don't look a day over..." Ruto began, trailing off. She couldn't really think of a polite way to express this notion. Still, he thanked her for trying.

"That is ridiculously old." Darunia commented. "Older than the eldest Gorons!" He added. He was met with rolling eyes and dismissive looks. Still, though nothing could be said for his tact, his statement was true.

"But enough of that." Rauru dismissed. "I'm more concerned with who will be next to deactivate their barrier." He mused.

"I will." Impa declared, drawing the crowd's eyes to her. A light was building around her, indicating her inevitable departure. There was a bright flash, and she was gone.

Nothing surprised Impa. She had been trained over years never to be caught off guard. As soon as she felt the light hit her back, she knew she would be next to go. When the light faded, she found herself floating above Link, who looked up at him with a warm smile.

"Link, my friend." She greeted him. He nodded at her in his usual, silent way. It was familiar. She had never heard him speak, not even as a child. In a way, she figured that his silent nature was a habit that held over from his seven year slumber. Any child who stubbornly refuses to speak would eventually move past their habit, except, of course, the child who never got a chance to grow up.

"It's good to see you again. I see your doing well, given the circumstances." She commented. He nodded, his big, goofy nose shaking along with him.

"It astounds me how well you've grown. I still remember that small, frightened boy who held my hand as I escorted him from the castle garden." She mused, smiling with the corner of her mouth. Link blushed and kicked at the ground. "You haven't grown too much, though. I can still see the same boy in your eyes that you once were."

After some pleasantry, Impa felt she needed to get serious. They were so close to the final battle, and nothing could go wrong. A single mistake would cost them the future of the kingdom, and all would be for naught. She had to do what little she could for him.

"Link, I have some advice." She said, suddenly changing the mood. Her serious voice could stop any revelries. "I know I'm not exactly qualified to be giving you advice, but hear me out, I implore you."

Link met her eyes with a serious expression. She could tell by his body language that he would listen whole heartedly to anything she said. That was the kind of boy Impa knew Link was. He still valued her input, despite her failures. He was humble and considerate. It was something about him that Impa admired.

"It is something I came to realize in my time with the sages." She continued. "It wasn't long ago that I thought of myself as invincible. I recognized no weakness in myself, and did not accept failure."

"When I did eventually fall in battle, it destroyed me. I became a hopeless wreck." She added. Link's brow furrowed, but Impa assured him she was okay now. "It was the sages who helped me out of that slump."

"They taught me that everyone has a weakness. Even me, and even you. Even Ganondorf. You have his with you as we speak." She explained, pointing to his left hand. Link looked down at the sword he held. The Blade of Evil's Bane, which had seen combat since long before Link was born. It was a tool that restored peace to the kingdom countless times.

"Not the sword, Link." Impa insisted, still pointing. Link rotated his hand to reveal a glowing mark. A triangle, shining radiantly through the gauntlets he wore. It symbolized his courage, and so much more.

"If you embrace your weakness, it cannot be used against you." Impa explained, echoing the lesson the others had taught her. "Ganondorf will attempt to exploit whatever he can use against you. He will threaten you and those you hold dear, he will attempt to turn you away, he will do everything in his power to break you, using whatever means he can." She warned. Link shuddered and gripped his sword tightly. He was right to be afraid. "He may even succeed."

"But you should never give up hope. As long as you accept that these flaws are an inescapable part of you, they cannot be used to bring you down." She explained. Link looked up at her, inhaling deeply. He closed his eyes, took another breath, and nodded, understanding.

Impa sighed and folded her arms. It was good that Link had understood, but it didn't satisfy her. She wished she could do more for him, but there was nothing that could be done. It made her feel useless, but she knew she had not been. That feeling, that constant thought that she had never done enough, was yet another one of her weaknesses. She kept it under control.

"I wish I could be there to fight Ganondorf with you. There is nothing I want more than to help you and Zelda. But..." She trailed off. Closing her eyes, she focused hard on the barrier that she knew had impeded his progress. There was some silence, and after a moment, she had dispelled it.

"That is all I can do for you." She resigned. "Go Link. The Barrier of Shadow is down. Know that I and the others will be with you! Save Zelda! Save Hyrule!" She commanded, a sudden pride filling her up.

Link thrust his arm up in the air, feeling that same fiery passion that filled Impa. With eyes and spirit fixed steadily on his goal, he charged out of the room, on to the next barrier chamber. Impa watched him go. She was proud of him, but more than that, she was proud of herself. She, together with her fellow sages, and Link, would save the kingdom. In that moment, she vowed not only to protect the princess, but to protect the Kingdom for the rest of her life.

When Impa returned to the chamber, she found everyone right where they should be. She looked all around, nodding. She was greeted warmly by the others, especially Ruto, who hopped down from her pedestal and ran over inquisitively.

"So?" She asked, eyes bright and wide. "How was he?"

Impa leaned back for some space. Ruto was uncommonly excited, it showed in her posture and smile. Impa had never seen her acting so genuinely enthusiastic before. Granted, she was generally a peppy person, but this side of the Zora was almost childlike.

"Link?" Impa responded. She didn't really know why she asked, she knew exactly who Ruto was referring to. Perhaps it was just the shock, or maybe it was because Impa wanted to toy with her, just a little. After all, she was feeling just as good as she was.

"She's been this way since you left." Nabooru groaned, clearly exhausted by the princess's overwhelming attitude. The others seemed fed up as well.

"Of course I have!" Ruto exclaimed, turning the brunt of her energy toward the spirit sage. "Link and I haven't gotten the chance to have a serious talk since..."

"Ever?" Darunia finished for her, laughing. Ruto turned to him, furious. She stomped a foot and huffed.

"Shut it, you!" She scolded. "Who told you to talk?"

"He's doing well." Impa interrupted, derailing a potential conflict before Ruto erupted. "In fact, I'd say he's better than ever. He's practically frantic to fight Ganondorf. I'd gladly welcome such a proud warrior into the Sheikah tribe."

"The Sheikah welcome Hylian into their ranks?" Rauru asked, as Ruto swooned over the thought of her courageous fiancé.

"They do if I say they do." Impa answered, desperately attempting to respond faster than Ruto could get a word in about Link. "After all, I am both the leader and the sole member."

"But," Saria began, her small voice ringing out above the crowd, "Link is more Kokiri than Hylian. He lived most of his life in the forest!" She exclaimed. The others looked at her, raising eyebrows and skeptical looks.

"Don't be ridiculous, Saria." Darunia retorted, his smile still wide from the joviality a moment ago. "Link is a Goron through and through. I even made him an honorary brother!" He exploded. The others, even Saria, looked at him as though he had gone mad, but Darunia knew he was right. There was no mistaking the hero for anything less than a goron.

"If you think Link is even remotely Goron," Ruto contested, "you really need your eyes checked. Now, he's my fiancé, and by Zora law and customs, that makes him a proud Zora. Legally speaking." Ruto laughed, still smug about her ideal taste in husbands.

"As ridiculous as it seems," Nabooru sighed, not exactly anxious to join the discussion. She didn't care where Link was from or which race he claimed to be from. "Link is an honorary member of the Gerudo tribe."

The others didn't even pretend to believe her words. She met their bitter stares with a casual shrug and a sarcastic smile.

"That doesn't even make sense!" Darunia protested. "The Gerudo are all women!" He pointed out. Nabooru shrugged again.

"With one notable exception." Impa added, bitterly. Again, Nabooru shrugged. This was all conjecture to her.

"We gave him a card." Nabooru said, flatly. The skepticism didn't cease, if anything, the others only expressed further disbelief. "What more do you want? It's no marriage proposal, but it had his name on it and everything, so it was legitimate." She sighed.

"Yes," Rauru mused after some sarcastic silence. "Well, it seems to me that our hero perfectly embodies the best traits of all our people. It's little wonder he was chosen to represent us."

There was a brief moment of sudden, collective understanding as everyone present came to the same realization. It was a comforting feeling, know that, in some way, a representative of each of their races would be the one to save the kingdom. It was almost as if the whole of Hyrule rose up to meet Ganondorf's challenge. Their thoughts were interrupted, however, by a young monarch's dreamy sigh.

"I know," Ruto said, grinning contently, "isn't he amazing?"

"You really miss the boy, don't you?" Impa asked, somewhat concerned. Ruto had always been talkative, and of course, she never missed an opportunity to boast about her love life, but she wasn't usually so fixated. It was almost a little disturbing.

"Miss him?" Ruto responded, answering a question with another question and annoying Impa, "of course I miss him! What if I'm next? There's so much to say!"

"It'll be fine, Ruto." Saria assured, seeing her begin to fret. "I'm sure there's plenty of time to say what you need to! Link is a good listener. That's all he does, actually." She sighed, recalling his odd manner of speaking, or lack thereof.

"Hey, why weren't you like this when Nabooru got back?" Darunia asked, scratching his chin. He seemed to be lost in distant contemplation, perhaps of what he himself would say when the time came.

"Because, Darunia," Ruto answered, rolling her eyes, "we were all too worried with where she went! I like Link and all, but I have my priorities in order. I'm glad you're safe, Nabooru."

"Me too, believe me." Nabooru promised. Suddenly warping to the castle of the king of evil had been a harrowing experience. She was the first to go, and she had no way of knowing what was happening.

"Oh!" Ruto popped, interrupting any more potential discussion. "I was right!"

Every one watched as the same light that had taken Impa and Nabooru built around Ruto. The young Zora, giddy with excitement, gave herself one last look over.

"Still looking great as ever! Wish me luck!" She declared, giving them all a bright smile.

"Go get him, Ruto!" Darunia cheered. The others all shared a similar enthusiasm. They waved as, in an instant, the Zora was gone from the chamber.

"Hello, Link!" Ruto said, flirtatiously. She winked at him and he looked around the room anxiously. Ruto laughed. He was still the same old silent Link.

The room around her was drab and depressing. The walls were dark, the corners were dusty or filled with bits of ash from the torches, and the whole place wreaked of stone and moblin. Ruto preferred the beautiful, open scenery of Zora's Domain. This cramped space made her feel choked.

She was floating near the back of the room. It was somewhat surprising, but Ruto took well to it. Floating in air was remarkably similar to swimming through water, and there was nothing Ruto, or any zora, excelled at more.

"I know, I know. This time, it was I who kept you waiting." Ruto noted, still somewhat bitter about the man's seven year absence. The reason had been explained to her, of course, but Ruto still found herself sour over it. She was somewhat irrational. "What can I say? I'm sorry, but there were more important things on my mind."

Link nodded, a handsome, gentle smile on his face. It was so sincere, it spread to Ruto, and for a moment, the two forgot about marriage vows or impending battles, and just relished in the reunion of two close friends.

It was over quickly, however.

"I see you've chosen green over the blue you were wearing last time." Ruto noted, pointing out his tunic. The young man looked down at himself and shrugged. "I haven't seen you in green since we were children. I prefer the blue, it matches your eyes better."

Link smiled at her graciously. It was common courtesy to return the favor when someone paid you a compliment, but Link was silent like a ripple on a pond, so she didn't mind. Opposites attract, after all, and where Ruto had a lot to say, Link had very little.

"You know, you certainly took your time." She hissed. "I mean, I'm not blaming you. After all, I wasn't there to help you like I did in the Water Temple or Jabu-Jabu, so of course it took a bit longer." She noted, totally serious. Link rolled his eyes sarcastically, which the Zora dismissed. She was simply making small talk before the larger conversation.

"Now, I know it's a bit premature," Ruto began. Link swallowed and darted his eyes around the room anxiously. "I've been thinking about the marriage. How can you blame me, right?"

Link did nothing to respond. Ruto took it as a neutral sign. As confident as she was in herself and in Link, she still had fears. She held a dear hope that Link truly returned her affections, but people were seldom as simple as that. There were many factors that played upon a heart, and some would never be understood by the princess.

Still, she didn't give up. The more she thought about the situation, the more irrational it seemed. After all, how could two people who have only met twice fall in love? She chose not to dwell on it, opting instead to keep her chin up and approach the topic with wild, reckless over confidence.

"I suppose we should wait until after this is all over to plan it," she said, putting a hand on her chin in contemplation. The fins that hung from her arm waved gently as she did so. "But I was meaning to ask if you'd prefer it on land or in the water?"

"Obviously, I'd prefer water," she continued, words coming almost without thought, "But traditionally, the husband has..."

She stopped mid-sentence and sighed. Something didn't quite feel right about their reunion. She could feel it, and she could see Link did as well. He was distant, a subtle frown tainting the corners of his lips. Ruto knew exactly the reason why, though it tore her apart to admit it.

"Link..." She sighed. The sight of her fiancé so put off was upsetting. She knew what she had to do. It was time to show some true maturity. If she ever wanted to salvage a marriage, or even a friendship, with her young suitor, she would have to follow the example of the other sages.

"Link, it's important to listen to others." She said softly. Link blinked and looked up at her, almost as if he thought she was scolding him. But Ruto didn't meet his eyes.

"I learned that while I was staying with the sages. Can you imagine? I had been inconsiderate?" Link did nothing, perhaps a wiser choice than his knee jerk reaction. "But it's true! When I arrived at the chamber, I was selfish. I wanted everyone at my beck and call. It took me a good while before I got over that, you know? And I'm all the more beautiful for it!"

She laughed hollowly. It was all she could think of doing to lighten the mood. It didn't work especially well, however.

"But here I am, insisting on our marriage. I'm better than that, Link!" She huffed, folding her hands in front of her chest. Link looked up at her, eyebrow raised, no doubt wondering where her train of thought was going.

"Link, dear, I want you to know that I... I think very highly of you. And I truly do think we're perfect for each other. I know I was only a child when I proposed, and maybe it's a bit girlish, but I feel the same way today as I did back then! But..." She moaned, turning her head toward the floor and trying to wipe a tear out of her eye as subtly as possible.

She was indeed on the verge of a break down. Not only was this painful for her, it was nerve wracking. Every word uttered was like a knife in her heart. But she persisted. The pain she felt now would be nothing compared to the pain of regret she would feel if she gave in now.

"But I want you to be happy." She continued, heart ache making her voice soft and weak. "How could I live with myself knowing I've forced you into something you never wanted? What kind of queen would I be if I didn't listen to the wishes of my people? What kind of wife would I be if I never even listened to you?" She said, each agonizing word dragging her deeper into the pits of despair.

Link looked on, mouth hanging slightly open. Frowning, he fiddled with his collar with one hand, eyes firmly fixed on the ground. Ruto could tell by his eyes that he felt somewhat guilty.

"Don't feel bad, Link! "Ruto insisted, forcing a wry, tired smile. Her face was the tiniest bit flushed, and she blinked some tears out of her eyes.

It didn't matter how much it hurt her, she knew she was doing the right thing. Perhaps it was the wrong time, but for all she knew, it was the last time. If she never saw Link again, she wanted him to know that she respected him. He was more than a trophy, or a childish fantasy to her.

"You deserve someone perfect for you, Link." She said, tugging nervously at the fins around her waist. "And only you can decide who that is. If that person happens to be me, well, I certainly wouldn't complain!"

The two shared a short laugh, but it wasn't enough to raise the mood. Still, Link smiled at her gratefully. No doubt he was relieved to have this awkward situation defused. Ruto forced herself to smile back through the hurt.

"Just..." Her voice sounded dry and distant, "When all this is over, and everything has returned to normal, visit me in Zora's Domain. Maybe we can..." She paused. She had to wonder if even this was asking too much. She didn't want to appear desperate, but it might have been too late for that.

"Maybe we can talk about it, the way I should have when I had the chance." She pleaded. She would understand if Link declined. In his position, she would have as well. After all this drama, who would even associate with her?

But Link was one-of-a-kind. Rather than refuse, he looked up at he with a smile. It was a smile that melted her heart, and beamed with genuine kindness. He nodded, pleasantly, and Ruto couldn't help but smile back. She felt a rush of relief that dulled the pain, just enough. Maybe, just maybe, she still had a chance.

She floated there, just processing what had occurred. That was the first time she had to break off a relationship while simultaneously having her heart broken. It wasn't pleasant, but she had to tell herself that it was the right thing to do. It was the only way to justify inflicting so much pain on herself.

But she knew it wasn't truly over between her and Link. There was some small chance, and even if it didn't become marriage, she would count herself fortunate to be his friend.

It took her a moment longer to remember her job. She wasn't used to feeling so low, and it would take some time before she would be back to her normal self. Until that time, she would just have to force it.

She closed her eyes, silently. Without so much as a word, she focused the power that made her a sage into a single point, breaking the barrier, as her role was.

"The Barrier of Water is down." She said, neutrally. She could not bring herself to be any more cheerful. "Go get 'em, Link."

The hero smiled and nodded again, in what was one of the most sincere acts Ruto had ever seen. She watched him charge out of the room, inhaling deeply as he left. She put a hand to her mouth to stifle a sorrowful moan, and before she knew it, she had returned to the chamber of sages.

It was a quiet place, separate from the world. It seemed so far away now that she had returned. Ruto felt the cold stone floor materialize under her feet and watched the light around her fade. There to greet her, as she expected were the other sages, all smiling expectantly. Without a word, she slumped into a sitting position on her pedestal.

"Hey, Ruto!" Darunia hollered, as if she had not seen him across the room. His smile and cheery attitude were indomitable. He was as happy to see her as he had been to see any of the other sage's return, despite their tendency to bicker. "So, how'd it go?"

"Was it romantic?" Saria joined him, eyes sparkling with wonder. She and Darunia wore smiles wider than the ocean. At first, Saria detested the thought of Ruto and Link getting married, but as time went on, she realized how little there was to be done. Now she was just glad that two of her dear friends might find happiness together.

Ruto didn't respond. Saria edged closer subtly, setting an example that Darunia didn't, or perhaps couldn't, follow. Too excited for his own good, he scooped Saria up, placing her on her usual perch atop his head, and romped over to her pedestal.

"Come on, you can tell us!" Darunia insisted. He and Saria both looked down at her, waiting anxiously for the gossip to come spilling out of her usually chatty self. But still, no response.

Rauru, stroking his chin, called out to them from his own place in the chamber. He didn't much care about the sage's relationships as much as he cared about the sages themselves, but even he could see that things had gone terribly awry with Ruto.

"Might I suggest we give Ruto some time to ruminate?" He asked them. They turned around, each with a look of mild curiosity. He could see they still didn't understand, but didn't know exactly how to word an explanation sensitively.

"Give her some space, you two." Nabooru barked, rubbing her temples. Darunia and Saria looked to her, then to each other, and finally back at the princess, whose gaze was distant and unfocused. Saria was the first of the two friends to realize what had happened.

"Maybe they're right, Darunia, I think we should leave her be." She suggested, patting his head. Darunia still didn't understand, but he heeded her words. Part of him knew something had gone wrong, but a larger part of him refused to believe that a fellow sage could be suffering from something as raw and real as a broken heart.

As he returned to his pedestal, he wondered just what made him feel that way. Thinking back on his time in the chamber, each of the Sages had their own reservations that they had to work through, and certainly, things had gotten emotional on more than one occasion. Still, they never struck the Goron as major altercations, only as small bumps on the road to a common destination.

But something was different about Ruto's trouble. It made him uneasy. Not once had he ever truly thought the sages would fail their task, despite all the drama that had occurred between them. But looking at Ruto, so torn up and fragile, made him doubt. He thought about it, trying to identify his exact feelings on the matter.

Ruto left the chamber for the first time in what had seemed to be an eternity. When she returned, she was a wreck, too damaged to even speak. Darunia knew the cause had nothing to do with his duty as a sage, but he couldn't help but feel it was somewhat prophetic. Perhaps it was safer for each of them to simply stay put. After all, the chamber was made to protect the six of them from the hazards of the outside world. Darunia thought that maybe he should simply allow it to perform its function. To weather the storm, in a way.

But then he thought of his son, sitting in Death Mountain, waiting for the return of his father. And he thought of his tribe, scattered, scared, and leaderless. If he ever hoped to return to them, or even see them again, there could be no hiding. He had to fulfill his role, defeat Ganondorf, no find his way back. There was no other way for Darunia, and truly, no other way for a Goron. They were not a people who waited to see what happened, and Darunia would never allow himself to become one.

"I can't take it anymore!" He exploded, throwing his arms up in the air, "I'm chomping at the bit!"

The other sages nearly fell off their pedestals at his sudden outburst. Even Ruto, whose heart still ached with every beat, was briefly drawn out of her depression by her surprise. Darunia beat his chest and gave a mighty war cry, so powerful that Saria had to cover her delicate ears.

"How long do I have to wait?" He asked to no one in particular. No one in particular responded with silence. "As soon as I'm out of here, I'm taking action! My Goron blood is beating through my veins, hot as magma! I'm burning up!" He declared, pride swelling with every word. He pounded he ground with his fists, nearly cracking a fissure in the stone.

"Calm down, Darunia!" Rauru commanded, taking a step toward the wild Goron. "We must wait for the right moment!"

He was a brave man, approaching such a feverish Goron, but his efforts were fruitless. Nothing could cull the rising tide of Darunia's frantic pride. He was a Goron, the strongest of the strongest. He knew his place. He was a man of action, he had waited long enough.

"Sorry, Rauru, but nothing can stop me!" He declared. His very core was burning with fiery passion. It was an energy he had not felt since he arrived in the chamber. Raw, unbridled need for action.

"Yeah!" Saria screamed, her voice ringing out shrilly in the chamber. She threw up her arms and sprinted over to Darunia, who together, began to throw a fit. The four sages not currently on a rampage stared at her, just as shocked as they were when Darunia had entered his frantic state. "Let's get 'em!"

Darunia allowed Saria to climb up onto his head. Then, proudly, she stood, one foot on his back, the other on the top of his head. She put her hands on her hips and stood there like a proud statue. Darunia laughed and mimicked her pose, and for the shortest moment, they were still and quiet.

Impa took this opportunity to interject. She had been watching, annoyed, since this facade began. There was no time for festivities and revelry, especially now, when the sages had come so close to their goal. She just wanted some quiet, so that they all could focus. She cursed herself for expecting peace in the presence of Darunia.

"It doesn't work that way, Darunia!" She scolded. Darunia ignored her, opting instead to fall upon the ground and do one hundred pushups. Saria took on the role of his spotter, slapping her palm against the ground for each one he successfully completed. Impa grit her teeth.

"Don't bother, Impa," Nabooru suggested with a sly smile, "Men get this way, they're very dense."

Nabooru shrugged and continued to observe the strange duo. They had moved on from exercise to roaring out ward to the open air. Darunia's mighty screams shook the air itself, echoing like thunder. They completely drowned out Saria's cries, but the girl persisted, filled with the same youthful energy that her fiery companion exhibited.

When, at last, the light began to materialize around Darunia, he showed no signs of tiring. Even his young partner, who had shown the same enthusiasm, had since tuckered herself out. She still cheered after him, but now it was from a safe, resting position a short distance away. Even so, the Goron continued his romp, stopping only when the light had become evident enough for him to notice.

"Finally!" He exclaimed, breathing rough and ragged from his unusual activity. "We're doin' this!"

His friends breathed a sigh of relief. Darunia's absence would buy them some relief from the constant noise he produced. Everyone in the chamber needed some time to think and deflate, especially Ruto. She had remained silent during Darunia's facade, but it was not hard to see how much it grated on her.

"Wish me luck, everyone!" The Goron hollered. He almost felt anxious, a floating sensation growing in his stomach. He put his hand there to quell it, but to no avail.

"Good luck!" Saria happily obeyed, hopping up and down in excitement. Her enthusiasm wasn't shared by anyone else in the chamber. At most, the others offered a noncommittal wave. The light grew brighter until it engulfed the Gorons massive frame, and just like that, he was gone.

The first and biggest disappointment for Darunia was that he appeared to be floating, and had no way of getting down to the ground. He struggled, flailed, and shook, but as hard as he tried, he could not descend. Link, who had been there since before the sage arrived, watched him writhe in utter confusion.

"Brother!" Darunia boomed, finally acknowledging his fellow tribesman. Link smiled widely in greeting, which the Goron returned for a moment before the frown returned to his face and he resumed his fight for normal gravity.

"Help me down from here, would ya?" He asked, stretching a hand down in attempt to at least touch the stone floor. "I'm no use to you up here!"

Link nodded, clenching a fist. Rubbing two gloved hands together, he furrowed his brow and, with childlike determination unusual for a grown man, stepped closer to the suspended Goron. Darunia held out his arm for Link to take hold of, which he gripped tightly.

"Now on the count of three, pull me down, alright?" Darunia and Link made eye contact, nodding. The bonds of brotherhood bright in each other's eyes.

"One..." The Goron began. Link tightened his grip.

"Two..." He continued. They both took a deep breath.

"Three!" He snapped. The hero gave a mighty tug, pulling with as much force as he could muster. His face turned red as he fought, in vain, to free the chief from his unearthly bonds, until finally he heard the order to cease.

Link fell backwards on to the cold, damp floor, panting. Darunia gripped his own arm at the shoulder, rotating it with a painful grimace on his face. The stench of failure hung thick in the air.

"Have you been working out or something?" Darunia asked, pained grimace giving way to disappointed frown. "Feels like you almost tore my arm straight off, brother!"

Link shook his head. Then, hesitantly, he looked down at the silver gauntlets that he wore over his hands. When he looked back at the chief, he was smiling brightly.

"Just what I'd expect from a brother of mine!" He laughed, applauding the boy's massive strength. "Stronger than strong!"

Link blushed. He rose to his feet, brushing the dirt from the floor off of his tunic while Darunia straightened himself, still sore in the arm. There was some brief silence before the Goron let out a devastating howl, loud enough that Ganondorf might hear it from there. Link jumped back, startled.

"You hear that? You got lucky this time, you... You..." He trailed off, waving a hand dismissively to nothing. Link scratched his head, no doubt trying to understand the meaning behind the terrible shout.

"I wanted to follow you out of here and help with the fight!" Darunia explained to his young comrade, who laughed. The chief crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, stern eyes drilling right through Link.

"Don't laugh!" He commanded, pointing a huge finger straight at the boy's face. "I could wipe he floor with anything we came across!"

Darunia flexed his massive arm, showing off. He hero nodded with a smile, acknowledging his chief's point. Darunia knew Link was more than capable of making it through whatever the evil king threw at him, but that didn't necessary mean he couldn't use help. Darunia could lift a boulder and crush it in his hands, he would gladly do the same to any threats they came across.

"But I guess it doesn't matter now, huh?" He asked, folding his hands behind his back lazily. "If I can't get down from here, I can't help you. Sorry about that, brother." Link shrugged.

"But if I can't fight..." Darunia mused, "I'll just have to help lead the sages! Like I've been doing!" He declared, removing his hands from behind his head and balling them into fists. He flexed once again, to the delight of his small companion.

"You know, Link, I have to say, I haven't been the best chief." He said with a resigned sigh, moving from a flex to a miserable pout. Link frowned as well, but Darunia insisted that he put on a smile.

"But I know better now!" He cheered, breaking out of the gloom at neck breaking speeds. "See, all the sages are great leaders! That's what makes 'em sages!"

"So I'll just take what I learned from them, and use it to lead the Gorons! It's going to be a golden age for the mountain when I'm around!" He declared, throwing his hands up victoriously. Link did the same, thrusting a fist into the air.

"I'm talking about finally getting off the mountain. What do they call it? Diplomacy! Yeah!" He cheered. "And science! There's going to be a scientific explosion, Goron style! And most of all, nothing bad is going to happen to the tribe under my watch again." He declared, affirming his place as mighty chief of the Gorons.

Link clapped his hands and the chief reveled in the applause. He had become just as excited about the prospect of leadership as he had about fighting Ganondorf. He was a natural leader, born to do great things with his people. To him, that held far greater significance than a petty scrap. Link would take care of the fighting, he had bigger things in mind.

"Brother! When all this is over," he said, exhaling to form a gentle smile, calm and collected. "Know that you will always have a place with your tribe on Death Mountain."

He put out his hand, and Link shook it gladly, proud to be considered among his people. The two had formed a bond of brotherhood, forged in the fires of a volcano. It was harder than steel, and no force could ever break it. Knowing this, Darunia broke the barrier of fire without a thought. He was happy to play his part, to change the history of Hyrule.

"The Barrier of Fire is down, Link! Make us proud!" He commanded. Link nodded, charging out of the room. He held his sword high, and his spirits higher. His chief watched him go, satisfied. In that instant, he knew everything would turn out as it should.

When he returned to the chamber, he was not surprised to find his fellow sages gathered around Ruto. Although the Goron's soul was burning with optimism, he could not forget that the others were not necessarily as fortunate. He crossed his arms and approached the others slowly.

Looking back, he wondered if he should have brought Ruto's condition to Link's attention. It certainly would have been illuminating. But he decided it was none of his business. There was no reason for him to pry, and besides, he didn't want to risk making Link feel bad just before the final duel. The less he knew about it, the better he'd feel.

"How're we doing?" He inquired, kneeling with the others, who had all lowered themselves to Ruto's level. She was still sitting on the pedestal, now leaning her head against Nabooru's shoulder. Nabooru looked slightly perturbed, but said nothing. There was a long, sad silence in the chamber.

Every so often, Ruto let out a sigh of a moan, as if she were about to speak, but she hardly ever did. The sages around her, even Rauru, did their best to comfort her, but to no avail. She was perfectly miserable.

"He'll come around." Nabooru insisted, as Ruto's head continued to nestle into her shoulder. It was cold and a little slimy, and Nabooru was pretty sure it must have been uncomfortable for a woman with eyes on the side of her head, but she didn't protest. "No man could resist your charming air."

The others smiled, Nabooru included, in an earnest attempt to raise something resembling happiness out of their aquatic companion. Ruto groaned and lifted her head from its place of rest. There was a moment of collective optimism among her onlookers, but she only moved to rest her head on her hand instead.

"I've never seen you in such a state before, Ruto." Impa noted, opting not to get too close, lest she become a headrest as well. "If there's anything I can do..."

Ruto just shook her head slowly. Deciding he had seen enough, Darunia was forced into action. He despised seeing a friend in such a dire condition. But Ruto was no ordinary friend, and the Goron knew of only one thing she cared about more than her love life. He would have to appeal to it if he hoped to snap her out of her stupor. It was risky, of course, and terribly stupid, and failure would ruin his standing among the sages. Still, he knew he had to try something. He took a deep breath, preparing himself to make a move.

"Wow." He said, flatly, drawing the attention of the crowd. "It's like you aren't even a princess anymore."

Several of the sages visibly winced. Eyes darted back and forth between the Goron and the Zora. No one knew what would happen next. Impa and Saria both glared at Darunia, who stood unwavering. Nabooru covered her mouth with her hand, even she would never crack a joke at a time like this. Even Rauru, who was ever stoic, very quickly became distressed at his words. Darunia prayed that his words had riled her up. As much as he hated dealing with an angry Ruto, at least it was something he was familiar with.

There was a moment of stunned silence as Ruto slowly lifted her head from her hand. Darunia swallowed anxiously, watching the princess's expression change from glum to shock to blazing, furious anger. In one smooth, graceful movement, she came to her feet, almost gliding across the floor to meet the sage of fire.

"Not a princess?" She screamed, settling just short of Darunia, pointing a finger straight in his face. "See here, you big oaf!"

"I'm as much a princess as I've ever been, and don't you forget it!" She demanded, quivering with anger. The sage of fire took a step back and nodded, thoroughly intimidated. Ruto narrowed her eyes, scowling. It was one thing to be insulted, but Darunia could not have possibly picked a worse time. She took herself very seriously, and would not tolerating any mocking.

"In that case, you have nothing to worry about." Darunia added, shrugging. Ruto stared at him intensely, trying to process what he had said. Ruto didn't know him to be very subtle, generally, he spoke thoughtlessly, using whatever words came to mind. That he had made a point that wasn't immediately apparent was somewhat shocking.

"Darunia, what were you thinking?" Saria scolded, running over from Ruto's pedestal. "That was terrible!"

"You need to know when to hold your tongue, Goron." Impa hissed, joining Saria. Darunia shook his head, dismissing them. He could already see he had won.

"Wait!" Ruto commanded, stopping the others in their tracks. All eyes rested solely on her as she pieced the unexpected puzzle of Darunia's words together. "He's right!"

She grinned haughtily, finally understanding the enigma in her companion's words. Of course, she was still depressed. She would be for quite some time. But her friend had given her the outlook, one that would help to guide her along the road to recovery.

"I am a princess!" She echoed. Impa and Saria waited for her to elaborate. She put her hands to her chest and, with a rapidly inflating sense of self-worth, walked proudly back to her pedestal.

Confused, and a little surprised, the two sages that had come to her defense followed her back, where the others were still waiting. They were shortly joined by the sage of fire, enjoying what seemed to be a total success.

"Care to explain what just happened?" Nabooru asked, sitting next to the pedestal, looking bored. She was accompanied by Rauru, who already clearly understood the reason for Ruto's sudden mood swing. He smiled subtly, relieved.

"I am a princess!" Ruto repeated, standing tall in her place like a monument to the self. "I always have been! I love that about myself."

"Yes, of course, but..." Saria mused, tilting her head to one side and looking up to her Zora friend, who seemed taller than ever. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"It means, Saria," the young princess began with a wave of her hand and a confident smile, "that nothing has changed! I love myself more than anything, especially more than any suitor! I suppose I forgot that in my... State."

She smiled, mostly at herself. A reflection of the proud, somewhat arrogant nature. Darunia returned her smile with a nod.

"Thank you, Darunia, for reminding me." She said, courteously. The Goron shrugged. He didn't need any thanks, he just liked to feel clever, which he did, now more than ever.

"So just like that, you've forgotten all about it?" Impa inquired, still processing the sudden, almost unbelievable change of heart. If anyone could pull such a jarring change off, she knew it would be Ruto. Still, it was almost as if nothing had even happened. She was back to her old self, perhaps even more confident now than before.

"Don't be absurd, Impa," Ruto commanded, putting extra emphasis on every word, "There's no way I could forget such stinging sadness so easily. But, I'm seeing this differently now. When Link comes drifting back to my home, then I will decide if he is worthy of my hand or not, and no the other way around."

Impa shrugged. It didn't matter to her what they did, as long as Ruto had made a recovery. Still, despite her apathy, she smiled. Ruto was too kind for her to bear, and seeing her so miserable brought the whole chamber down. It was good to have her back.

"That means Link could come back to the forest!" Saria exclaimed, suddenly directing all the attention to her. She shrank under the weight of their collective stares. "I mean, if you two don't get married."

"What, are you still worried about that?" Ruto laughed. "Please, he would go back there even if we were married. I would insist on it."

Saria smiled at her, and inwardly, at the thought of a reunion with her old best friend. It had been so long since they had spoken, she almost forgot what he was like. She knew she was one of two sages left to be called, and she wasn't in a terrible rush, but she hoped she would be next.

She had often pondered the nature of their relationship over the years that had gone by. Once upon a time, she had a fairy tale crush on the boy. But it was doomed from the start, she was blessed with eternal youth where he was not. She didn't mind, however. She had long since moved passed those childish feelings. Now she only thought of him as a dear friend she missed greatly.

What concerned Saria the most was whether he missed her. They were the best of friends before he left the forest, but the forest was a small place, compared to the whole of the kingdom. In his travels, he had no doubt met many people, and made many friends. Five of them stood among her right now, after all. Of course, he had come to rescue her, but was it only because she was a sage? The forest girl wondered if Link ever thought of home, or if he had long since forgotten the forest and its inhabitants.

She wouldn't have to wonder for very long, however. The familiar light came to whisk her away while she was lost in thought. She was so absorbed in her own reflections that she almost didn't notice. It took several of the other sages calling her to snap her out of her daze, and even then, it was just long enough for her to look around, and begin the first few sounds of 'goodbye', before she was gone.

The room was dank and damp and dim and dismal, but Saria wasn't paying any attention to that. Her gaze was fixed solely on Link, who stood across from her, smiling wider than she had ever seen.

For a time, they simply stayed there, smiling at each other. It had been ages since either had been able to relish in the other's company, and the reunion was already sweeter than honey. In that warm moment, it became abundantly clear that Link had missed her just as much as she had missed him. She felt a little guilty for ever doubting their friendship; it was clear now that it was strong enough to withstand any test fate threw at it.

"Hello, Link!" She greeted, waving sweetly. She couldn't think of anything else to say or do, there was really no way to express how happy she was to see him again. Link waved back, silent as ever. Some things never changed.

Then he did something Saria didn't expect. He reached up to his face with one gloved hand and wiped away a year. Saria laughed a little, but she couldn't help but feel touched. Link was still the same quiet, sensitive ten year old he'd ever been.

"Aw, don't cry Link!" She said, softly. "You hadn't cried since way before you left the forest!"

Link wiped another tear away and laughed. They had been friends since long, long before Link's journey. In the early days of their friendship, he was constantly tormented by the other boys and girls of the forest. Saria helped to put a stop to that, and Link never cried in front of her since. To see him this way brought back memories from a more peaceful time.

"I bet you didn't know it," Saria chuckled innocently, "but everyone in the forest missed you! Even Mido, though he'd never, ever say so. We don't usually let grownups live in the forest, but I know we'd all make an exception for you. If you want to."

Saria smiled coyly and twiddled her thumbs, avoiding eye contact. She didn't want to be too directs, and after all, it was just a suggestion. Still, Link grinned cheerfully, a deeply reassuring sign. Neither of them truly knew what would come after the fight was over, but it was nice to imagine, or perhaps fantasize, about the future.

"Oh! Link!" Saria exclaimed suddenly, cutting her fantasy short. The excitement had blinded her, and she never took a moment to look an anything but the boy's face. Now that she took a close examination, she realized that he was covered in cuts and bruises, and even bloodied in some places. It was cause for immediate concern.

"You're all beaten up! Are you okay?" She asked, plagued with concern. She knew that he had to fight. There were legions of creatures barring the way to Ganondorf, and he would have to fight through each one. But the concept of Link sustaining any real injury was foreign to the sage of the forest. She idolized him, placing him on a pedestal that made him seem indestructible. It was almost as if he was less a man and more symbol, a concept that embodied hope and courage.

The hero looked down at his messy form. He was war torn, his tunic was covered in holes and cuts. He had burns and bite marks, gashes and welts. Even his shield was chipped and battered. Despite all his scars, he looked up at her and smiled, nodding his head. He was fine.

"Are you sure? Is there anything I can do?" She asked again, no more reassured than she had been a moment ago. Link shook his head and puffed his chest out, causing Saria to laugh reluctantly. She wished she could help him more than she was, but if Link said he was fine, he was fine.

"You've gotten so much stronger, Link. Imagine if the kids that use to pick on you could see you now!" She said, smiling through her fret. Link shrugged modestly, but Saria would have none of it.

"You could stand up to anything." Saria insisted, punching the air in front of her. "In fact, you could take Ganondorf easy. He's just a big snob."

They shared a laugh that brightened the room and made every trouble seem small. There was no force that could be conjured that could bring them down from that. Saria no longer had any doubt. They would win.

"When I get back to the forest, I'm going to be as strong as you. I don't know what, quite yet," she said, biting at her thumbnail, deep in thought, "But somehow, I'm going to help the whole world."

Link nodded at her, cheering her on for her determination. She knew she may never grow up, may never be able to run as far or lift as much as Link, but she had other strengths, and she would use them as well as a Kokiri could, whatever that entailed.

"The Barrier o the Forest is down, Link!" She said, haunt broken it out with one easy, almost effortless thought. "There's only one more to go, now. I believe in you, Link!"

Link nodded again and stormed out of the room like a valiant knight. Saria watched him go, a warm smile plastered on her face. She knew everything would be okay, not only in the fight, but in whatever came afterward. However things went, she would be happy.

When she returned to the chamber of sages, she expected a warm greeting. But the sages barely noticed her presence. Instead, they were focused on Rauru, whose serious face showed his great age. He was saying something, though Saria's arrival interrupted him in the middle of his sentence. He regarded her calmly.

"Ah, good, you're here." He greeted her. He had a smile on his face, but it couldn't mask a deeper sadness on the inside. There was no mistaking it, he had terrible news.

"I have something to say now that you're all assembled." He said, crossing his arms and exhaling deeply. His facial hair waved slightly in the breeze that he created. "Though it pains me deeply to do so."

"Well spit it out, Baldy!" Nabooru cracked, though her face did not bear her usual mischievous grin it usually did. "Before we're all as old as you!"

"Oh, I very much doubt that will ever be a concern for you, Nabooru." He retorted, forcing a laugh. The room was full of nervous tension.

"Though I can't speak for Nabooru's rancorous attitude, I have to agree with her sentiment." Impa stated, to which, Nabooru's reaction was mixed. "If it concerns our duty, then we must know now."

Rauru shook his head, sighing deeply. There was nothing new in their fight that they had to worry about. This was a more personal matter. One that clung to him, hanging in the back of his mind. His every thought was cast in its shadow, and it weighed them down like the gravity that held his feet to the dirt. In his years, he had learned more than most ever did, but one thing had always been a stranger to him.

"I'm afraid I have entered the waning hours of my life." He said, solemn and grim like a dark painting, or perhaps a sad story. The news was met with sadness, of course, but also great confusion. He understood that. It was quite a bombshell, and even he could scarcely believe it. When his companions found no words, he continued without them.

"I have felt the end drawing near since Link awakened. I am dying." His voice rang out without fear or hesitation. In fact, it was clearer than it had ever been. There had been many things in life that he hadn't been certain of. Many questions whose answers were muddy and undefined. This was not one of them.

"Rauru!" Ruto cried out, distraught. He didn't turn to her, he knew she wouldn't continue. He took comfort in the fact that he was cared for.

"Why didn't you let us know sooner, Baldy?" Nabooru asked. Rauru could tell his nickname had become a term of endearment. He laughed, but it came out more like a hollow, dry cough. Rauru pinned the blame squarely on his mood and nothing else.

"I'm telling you now, aren't I?" He said, with a knowing grin. "I didn't want to worry any of you. Though, I believe you all deserve to know. What better time than now?"

Nabooru squinted and shook her head. Rauru laughed again, triumphant. He never thought he'd see the day that he struck Nabooru speechless. It was rather bittersweet.

"There's nothing we can do, can we?" Darunia inquired, closing in from his pedestal. Rauru stopped him, mid journey. The last thing the sage of light needed was the oncoming bear hug that the Goron's arms would no doubt deliver.

"Nothing can be done, no. Death is the old friend who still writes to remind us that we are always in its thoughts. There is no escaping it." Rauru explained, darkly. The others, especially the sage of fire, frowned deeply. Darunia seemed like he might even cry.

"I apologize," Rauru continued, shrugging awkwardly, "That was... Needlessly dark."

"I have lived an impossibly long life. But I've learned more in my stay with all of you, than I ever had in any of my years. I will leave this world, proud to have served with all of you." The sage resigned. His words echoed on in the otherwise silent chamber. No one dared to speak, as if the silence preserved this moment, so that they all might go on living as they were.

Of course, that is not the case, and time passed slowly but surely, until it was time for Rauru to break the last barrier between Link and his final confrontation. Light built around him, slowly engulfing the sage. In his last moments, before he left the chamber, he offered a reassuring nod to his dear friends.

Then he was there, floating in Ganondorf's tower. It was a disgusting, twisted place, the stench of decay hung thick in the air. It was so unlike the castle that he had known previously. That was a magnificent monument to the prosperity of the kingdom, but this tower, evil and corrupted, was a monument to its destruction.

He greeted Link with a calm wave. Link replied in the same way. Of all the sages, Rauru was the least acquainted with the young hero. He had only admiration for the boy, but only that. They were not old friends, or fellow tribesmen, or bound by matrimony. They had been brought together by a common goal, and little more. Still, Rauru regarded the hero warmly.

"Ah, Link. It's good to see you." He said, plainly. Link nodded and smiled, agreeing. There wasn't much to discuss between the two, and they both knew what would come after this.

"Seems our journeys are drawing to a close." Rauru remarked, almost sadly. "Before long, it'll all be over."

"Link, it may be..." Rauru began, searching for the right words. "It may be difficult to face the ending. It's hard to let go. But all things eventually reach a conclusion."

Link raised an eyebrow and cocked his head, concerned. Rauru shied away from his gaze. He wasn't certain whether he was talking to Link or simply trying to reason with himself now. He must have looked terribly foolish, but it mattered little to him now. In these slow, closing moments, he had very few concerns.

"I apologize if I come out sounding melancholy." Rauru sighed, stroking his chin, trying to seem as distant as he usually was. He wasn't succeeding. "The end of your battle will be a joyous occasion, of that, I have no doubt."

Link took a step toward the old sage, looking up at him with deep, soft eyes. It was clear in his face that he knew what Rauru was truly referring to. The sage of light did not avert his gaze, or make an attempt to cover up his feelings. He was too old for such things. Instead, he simply nodded.

"It's true, as you can no doubt tell. I will stick it out long enough to see this struggle through to its end, but no further. I do not have it in me." Rauru conceded. His troubles filled the air through his words and made the tower seem even darker than it was. An unfortunate, I intended consequence that followed this kind of discussion wherever it went.

"I didn't want to tell you, Link." The elder confessed, folding his arms behind his back. "You have far greater thing to worry about than me, and I didn't want to plague you with troubling news. Still, it seems you're far too clever for me."

He forced a smile, but Link didn't return the gesture. Under his breath, Rauru cursed the boy's wit, or perhaps his own dramatic air. Either way, he knew he had to fix this situation. The hero's mind must be unclouded by all else.

"But Link, you mustn't worry about that. You, only you, can carry out he monumental task laid out before us. If I were you, my mind would be squarely focused on that." The sage insisted. There was a brief moment of eye contact before Link frowned and hung his head, unconvinced.

There was a concern that Link might find room to doubt if he his mind were allowed to stress the smaller things. He may second guess himself, his confidence would seep away like water through a drain. Rauru could not allow that. The fate of his kingdom was above all else. It was more valuable than his life, or the lives of all the sages, or even the hero's life. The kingdom, its populace, its history. It must be protected. Rauru stood firm in this belief, always.

"Link, Fight! Fight, and win!" The sage commanded, in the most authoritative tone he could muster. "Save Zelda, and the Kingdom. You must. If not for people, then for me! Consider it my dying wish!"

Link took a step back, shocked. Rauru kept his tone up despite this. If he would not see the kingdom's own future for himself, at the very least, he would pass knowing it was a fruitful one. He would know he had ensured peace for the world.

"Honor my memory in this way, Link. Honor all of us Sages! Muster your courage and go! Go now, to your destiny!" Rauru declared, signaling toward the door. He had broken the barrier of light long ago, before the two had even begun speaking. He held on to his presence in the chamber through sheer force of will, determined to see the hero off right.

Link cast his eyes down to the ground, and even Rauru, in his nigh infinite wisdom, could not tell what thoughts ran through his head. Only that it was deep, and reflective. Then, gripping his sword tightly, he unsheathed it, thrusting it into the air and letting out a mighty battle cry. It pierced the room, echoing through the tower like a wolf's howl. It was nearly deafening to the old man, but he did not cover his ears. It was a magnificent sound, full of youth, grit, and courage. It reflected the fire in the boy's heart, the heat of countless battles, the heat of just one more.

Rauru nodded, knowing that the hero was indeed ready to finish his quest. He faded away, back to the chamber of sages, watching Link charge through the door, looking more like an adult now than when the sage first awakened him. He silently wished him luck, and returned to his place in the chamber.

When he arrived, he was caught off guard by the others, who had all gathered in a rag tag group around his pedestal. Startled, he flinched, nearly knocking the wind out of his chest. When he had finally regained his composure, Rauru spoke.

"Yes?" He inquired, somewhat hesitant. "Can I help you with something?"

"Baldy, we've decided. You're not dying after all." Nabooru declared, with agreeing gestures from her fellow sages. She was met with a blank state from Rauru, who was unimpressed. Still, she kept up her smile. Rolling his eyes, Rauru decided to play along.

"Oh, really?" He asked, feigning pleasant surprise. "Why, that's wonderful news! I wonder why I wasn't informed sooner!" The sarcasm seemed like a foreign tongue when it rolled off of his words. He had never made a habit of saying things sarcastically, but if ever there was a time to for him to try new things, it was now.

"Not like that, you silly!" Saria peeped. She jumped up and down merrily, grinning ear to ear. "We have a plan!"

"That's right!" Darunia added, with a wide, toothy smile and arms folded proudly. "It was mostly Impa's idea, and Ruto helped a little."

"A little?" Ruto hissed, causing Darunia to shake his head with a subtle smile. "I was no doubt a key factor in our decisions." She declared, dismissing Darunia's apparently rude remark.

"If I may." Impa interrupted. Her comrades bowed their heads and allowed her to speak. She crossed her arms and looked Rauru dead in the eye, serious. "In the chamber of sages, there is no hunger or thirst. There's no sickness. Anything that can hurt you simply doesn't exist here, including age."

Rauru sighed. He understood what she was getting at, but it was too farfetched. He had already considered such a plan of action and determined it would fail.

"The chamber can only be occupied when it is needed. To protect the sages." He concluded, shaking his head. He appreciated their good will, but there was no way around it. He was dying, and that was that.

"And we, the sages," Impa resumed, "have decided that we need it to protect you."

"From dying!" Darunia added, in case it wasn't clear. It was.

"Thank you, Darunia." Impa replied, hollowly, before continuing. "If you were to stay here in the chamber..."

"It wouldn't be the best future, maybe a little boring," Nabooru snapped, weighing the pros and cons of eternal protection, "But at least you'd have one!"

"And we'd come to visit!" Ruto announced, hoping that that was something he sages were able to do. "And bring books and things to keep you occupied!"

"We just don't want to see you, uh..." Darunia rambled, twiddling his thumbs in front of his gut, "kick the bucket."

There was a brief, almost optimistic silence, where the sages held their breath and waited for Rauru's reply. The old man crossed his arms, inhaled deeply, and tapped his foot against the ground. His mind raced with thoughts. If, indeed, he could be kept alive in the chamber of sages, would he truly want to? He had lived a very long time, and there was no true escape from death. It could be prolonged, sure, but only at the cost of what was essentially imprisonment. That was a terrible choice to be presented with.

"You've all made up your minds, have you?" He uttered, eyes still shut. Neither option was appealing. He had previously accepted death, but only before he had been given the option to keep on going. Now he wasn't so sure. Still, the others could sway his decision. He value their insight, and their friendship, like a dear treasure.

"We're unanimous." Impa noted, to which, those in her company agreed. "But the final decision is yours, Rauru."

There was another pause while Rauru contemplated. His allies watched carefully, holding their breath. The more old sage thought about his choice, the less he thought about its impact on himself. He thought more of the others, and their happiness. He found his own will through them, and if they wanted him to go on, he would. Not for his sake, but for their own.

"Then it's settled. I will stay here." He concluded. He was met with cheers and relieved sighs. Much to his surprise, however, he also felt great relief in himself. Perhaps there was a part of him that still feared the end, or perhaps it simply loved life too much to let go. The reason didn't matter much to him. He was happy with his decision, and his mind was at ease.

"Good!" Ruto noted in a moment of comfortable silence. The positive feeling in the air was quickly fading again, and giving way to dry, nervous tension. It was apparent now that there time would be up in only a few moments. There was nothing more to stall the inevitable conclusion.

"With that settled," Saria began, growing more anxious as the moments passed, "maybe we could talk about..."

"What's there to talk about?" Darunia asked, patting his stomach. His confident display on the outside could not conceal his true nature. He was ready, but he wasn't sure what he was ready for.

There was a momentary pause as the sages each worked out their own feelings. Not one of them could truly say how things would turn out. Each believed, of course, that they would win out at the end of the day, but there was a lingering doubt that hung over them. It couldn't be escaped with any amount of faith or confidence. Each attempted to reassure themselves, to steel themselves for victory, but that uncertainty, while it could be reduced, could never be erased.

"We'll win." Impa said, mostly to herself, breaking the silence that had settled over the room like a layer of dust. No one said a word in reply, they only looked to her, waiting for more words of assurance, but they never came.

"Oh, we'll win alright." Nabooru added, though she didn't sound as sure as she hoped she seemed. "Ganondorf isn't that smart. If we've made it this far, he has no more tricks up his sleeve."

Several long periods of silence carried on like this, one person speaking, receiving no response, and fading back into the quiet. Eventually, it was decided that they all should simply prepare as best they could for whatever came to be. It was the only thing they could do.

Then, after what seemed to be an eternity of waiting, something happened. A voice, desperate and foreign, called out to the sages from thin air. It was a woman's voice, immediately recognizable to some, and unfamiliar to others. She was exhausted, but none-the-less furious. Her words seeped into the room as if they were coming from another world.

"The time is now, Sages! Do it!"

Rauru and Impa both shot up, hearing a voice they each knew well as Princess Zelda. The time had come at last. Each sage, without a word, knew precisely what they had to do.

And yet, there was a moment of hesitation.

"Everyone," Rauru began, heart pounding in his chest, "I just want to say that I..."

He looked up at each of them, and they smiled back. He could see they knew full well what he needed to tell them. Words were unnecessary.

"Very well," he resumed, "let us begin."

Each sage stepped forward on their pedestal, and the world seemed to slow around them. There were no sounds, or perhaps there was so much, it was deafening. The sages, united as an indomitable force, each felt uniquely together with each other. It was a magic unlike undoing the barriers, or creating the bridge. It was far more powerful.

There was a blinding light, so radiant it nearly burned, but the sages did not look away. The light grew until it engulfed them, and even still, grew until it seemed to swallow existence, and transcend time. It was frightening and soothing all the same.

At this point, the sages had lost sight of each other. Instead, they felt each other's presence, standing resolute where they had been. There was the sensation of motion, but no one could truly tell if they had been moving or not.

At some point, either seconds or hours in to the process, a man screamed. His voice was violent and ruthless, and it dripped with rage. He cursed their names, so hateful that it nearly seemed inhuman. Still, his words were swallowed by the light, and faded out of ear shot before the sages could truly hear them. Whoever had screamed, they didn't matter much anymore.

Then the light was gone. In an instant, it spat up the world and all of the sages and faded away, quicker than it had come. There was a moment of confusion as the sages got their bearings. They were no longer in the chamber that was clear. They were now on a high mountainside, overlooking the whole kingdom. Each looked around, disorientated and dazzled. Each had arrived, intact, with the exception of the sage of light. He had stayed behind, and stayed alive.

"Did we do it?" Saria asked the others, still dizzy from whatever she had gone through. Darunia scooped her up and laced her on his head, where she could get an even better view of the kingdom.

"I think so!" He proclaimed, laughing with glee. His laughter bellowed and went on for what seemed to be entirely too long. Then Saria began to laugh alongside him. Then Ruto, and Nabooru, and even Impa, who tried desperately to stifle it at first.

They stood together, looking out as the sun rose on the kingdom. Each wore a smile as wide as the view that contained a mix of relief and joy. At last, they had won. The air was crisp and clean, and nothing could take away from their perfect moment.

"I..." Darunia began, wiping his eyes as a torrent of tears began to form. "I just want you all to know, you're all my brothers!"

The Goron broke into a fit of joyful sobbing. It was a little amusing, if only because it was uncharacteristically childish. Saria patted his head and thanked him, and the sniveling cake to an end.

"I'm a woman, how could I be your brother?" Nabooru asked, sarcastically. Darunia put a hand to his chin, thinking of a new word to use. Nabooru just smiled and dismissed it. "Don't bother. I'm honored to accept your brotherhood."

"My, Nabooru!" Ruto exclaimed, feigning surprise and exchanging light hearted glances with the Gerudo. "Was that actual sincerity? From you?"

"Well, one of you had to display some sort of humility eventually." Impa cracked, still looking out over the kingdom. Ruto and Nabooru huffed and rolled their eyes, and Impa laughed again.

"Where are we anyway?" Saria asked, taking in her unfamiliar surroundings. She had never been out of the forest, and the world that stretched beyond was unfamiliar.

"This is Death Mountain! Where I live!" Darunia declared, proudly. He looked around and put a finger on his chin. "That's mighty convenient, actually."

"Saria," Impa said, pointing down at an endless sea of green far below them, "that's Kokiri Forest down there. That's your home. I bet you've never seen it from outside."

Saria took in the sight, eyes growing wide with childish wonder. She smiled. It was the most beautiful thing the girl had ever seen in her life.

"Death Mountain? The volcano?" Ruto groaned, making her disgust perfectly evident. She rubbed her hands together anxiously. "No wonder the air is so dry! I bet there isn't a drop of water anywhere!"

Darunia laughed and shook his head, proud again that he could flourish in such a harsh environment.

"Look there Saria," The Zora said, gesturing elegantly toward a massive body of water in the distance. It was surrounded by gorgeous old ruins and flowed with crisp, clear water. "That's Lake Hylia, home of yours truly! Oh, I can't wait to get back there."

"Please. You want to see something impressive, look over there." Nabooru coaxed. Saria's gaze turned to a massive, sprawling desert, whose sands were yellow and red, and spotted with small stone buildings and ruins. "That's my home, Gerudo Valley. No place like it in all of Hyrule."

"Oh, it's all so gorgeous! I want to see it all!" The girl cheered, excitedly slapping the top of her Goron companion's head. He winced very slightly, but didn't mind her at all.

"First, we should all try to get home." Noted Impa, "we all have people waiting for us, I'm sure."

The sages took one last, long look out into the world they had worked so hard to save. Hyrule was, in that moment, the most welcome sight of any of them.

After a long pause, Ruto looked up at the others. "Do you think we'll ever be needed like this again?"

"Maybe." Nabooru stated plainly. She folded her hands behind her head, and sighed.

"What will we do?" Saria asked, resting her head on Darunia's.

"If that time comes, we'll know what to do." Impa said plainly. "And until then, we'll wait."

---

There it is! The end! Wow, that took a lot out of me. Writing this chapter was a roller coaster, believe me. Halfway through I started dragging my feet and lost a lot of my motivation. Maybe it shows, I'm not totally sure. Anyway, it's past the 50000 word mark. That means this fanfiction, for better or worse, is novel length! Wow! Hey, does that make me legit? I'm gonna say it makes me legit.

Anyway, I have a special request for any one reading this who likes my writing. I have officially... Run out of ideas. I mean, I have a few that could work, but I'm not exactly sure I want to implement them. So on that note, my request is this: If you think of something you'd like me to write, send me it in a message, or maybe a review! I know it's a little selfish, maybe, but I want to write! So, yes. Send in a request or an idea or something!

And thank you for reading. I put a lot of love into this little fanfiction. The Sages are my favorite characters from Ocarina of Time, and I'm glad I could see them through this little adventure. Thank you once again for reading.