Damn, it's been a while hasn't it? I finished this a while ago but just didn't upload it. But it's here, it's done, and once again made awesome thanks to Miss LEva114. I'm about half-way done with the next chapter and a follow up to my Aqua/Kairi fic A Drop in the Ocean. I'm also working on another story, but I'll leave that one a surprise.
Anyway, on with the story!
Legend of Zelda: Urban Legend
Chapter seven: Reunions and Healings
The walk from Faron back to the gas station was completely silent. Midna was still clearly devastated, Link didn't have any idea of how to comfort her, and Ashei seemed as stand-offish as ever. So the silence remained until they got to the van and Ashei's phone started to ring.
"Hey Shad, what's up?"
"What's up!?" the researcher said, clearly livid. "Tha's all yew have to say to me!? Ay was trying to call yew all day yesterday!"
"Shad, we were stuck in a dark forest all day. Is it that surprising we couldn't get any reception?" Ashei asked as she put the phone on speaker.
After thinking about it, Shad realized he really didn't have a reason to be mad and calmed down. "Alright, ay guess so, fine. Did yew get the key?"
"Yeah, Link got it from something called the Great Deku Tree?" she said, looking at Link for confirmation that she had called the Great Tree by its real name. Link nodded at her.
"The Great Deku Tree!? Yew actually met him?" Shad asked, becoming very excited.
"Well no, I didn't. Link did. Me and Midna stayed behind in the Kokiri village."
"And yew met the Kokiri!? This is amazing! Ay always knew the Kokiri and the Deku Tree really existed. Please tell me yew took some pictures."
"How could I take pictures? I didn't bring a camera!"
"I'm pretty sure your phone has a camera built in it," Link said, leaning against the van.
Ashei looked her phone over really quick. "Oh, cool. Okay Shad, is there something you actually wanted or is this just a social call?"
"Oh, right. Ay think ay've got an idea of where the two remaining keys are."
Ashei looked over at Link, who had a big grin on his face, with an impressed look of her own. "That's great, Shad. Where are they?"
"The Ancient Forge tha' the passages spoke of must be in Death Mountain. The Gorons who live there used to make weapons for the Hyrulian Royal Family long ago. It makes sense tha' they would know something about it."
Ashei nodded to herself. "Alright, what about the last one?"
"The third key has to be in Lake Hylia. It's the largest lake in Hyrule, and it's strongly connected to the goddess Nayru. Although ay'm still no sure how yew're supposed to get to the bottom of the lake. Ay guess if yew can find some scuba equipment, tha'll help."
After hearing the explanation of where the last two keys were, Ashei turned to Link. "Okay, you're the Hero, Twigboy. Where do we go next?"
Link ran through the options presented to him for a moment, then said, "Well, we still don't know where in the lake the last key is, just that it's in the lake. And Hylia is a pretty big lake. Kakariko is closer, so I guess we go there first."
"Alright then, Kakariko it is. Ya got that, Shad?"
"Yeah, ay got it. Ay'll try and find more information on the Master Sword and get back to yew."
"Right. Later, Shad."
"Wait!" Just as Ashei was about to hang up, Shad remembered something. "Ay almost forgot to tell yew. When yew get to Kakariko, look for the shaman Renado so the Hero can speak to Zelda."
This got Link's attention quick. "What!? Zelda's in Kakariko?"
Shad was a little surprised by Link's outburst. "Yea, she's there training in her magic with Renado."
"So I'm gonna be able to see Zelda again?" Link asked, a dream-like expression on his face.
"Yea, why are yew so surprised? We all knew about it and - Ashei didn't tell yew about this, did she?"
Link glared daggers at Ashei for withholding this little bit of information from him. She just shrugged. "Eh, didn't think it was that important for you to know. Thanks for the info, Shad. Later." She hung up the phone and turned to Link, who was still giving her a death stare.
"Oh, calm down. So I didn't tell you. What would that have accomplished? Besides, we're going to see Princess what's-her-face now anyway, so what's the big deal?" Ashei patted Link on the shoulder as she rounded the van and got in the back; Midna climbed into the driver's seat.
Link was still upset, but he then figured Ashei was kind of right. It wouldn't have made much of a difference if Link knew where Zelda was until this moment. And he was going to be able to see her again. That's all that really mattered. Link smiled slightly at the thought, but his thoughts were interrupted by Ashei saying, "Hey Twigboy! Get your ass in the van already."
Link complied, and they drove off to the next key.
Zelda had genuinely enjoyed her time in Kakariko. It was nice and quiet and gave her plenty of time to concentrate on her studies. Despite not being able to help with her visions, Renado did teach her most of the basics of magic: elemental manipulation, controlling energy, and mental discipline. Zelda learned quickly and soon was able to perform a few high level spells. She became especially adept at creating shields and barriers.
When she wasn't practicing her magic, Zelda would often spend time with Luda, whom she had quickly grown very close to. They would talk, have lunch together; Zelda would even help Luda with some of her chores.
She had also come to know a number of other people around town. Most of the town knew that Zelda was staying with Renado, but didn't know why or who she really was. All the same, most of Kakariko's residents warmed up to her quickly, like the elderly woman who owned the hotel she stayed in who would usually tell her stories about her youth - some of the racier stories were...upsetting, but she appreciated the gesture. There was also the guy who worked at the nearby convenience store. He was nice enough, but would always hit on her. She never really took him too seriously.
On the fourth or fifth day of her stay, Renado took Zelda up to Death Mountain's summit to meet with the Gorons. Unlike in Kakariko, Renado did tell the Gorons who Zelda was, and that just turned their simple visit into a full blown celebration. The Gorons set up a huge feast for Zelda (although the food was made of rocks so she couldn't actually eat anything) and the Gorons held a traditional sumo wrestling exhibition of her to enjoy; some of the elders even told old Goron legends to the children, which she found fascinating.
During her week in Kakariko, Zelda was able to see Renado helping many of the town's people with any problem they seem to be having. He gave them advice, medicine if they were ill, or on rare occasions a magic talisman if nothing else seemed to work. Renado told Zelda that the talismans held little to no real magic since that could turn out very badly very quickly. He claimed that the people he gave the talismans to didn't need magic, only something to give them some kind of confidence or a belief in something higher than them.
During a particularly busy day, Zelda and Luda were keeping groups of people comfortable while they waited to see Renado. Zelda started talking to people and, more than once, ended up helping them to the point they no longer felt the need to see Renado. The shaman himself had managed to see this once and was impressed with Zelda's empathy and compassion.
Zelda had learned a great deal while she was staying with Renado and Luda and had grown to love the small mountain town. But that time was coming to an end. The week she was supposed to spend was up tomorrow. She was slightly disappointed, but she also missed Castle Town and all her friends there. Zelda's time in Kakariko may have been over but Renado still had one thing to teach her.
Zelda stood on one of the raised platforms circling the walls of the Sanctuary while staring intently at another directly across from her. After a moment a soft green light started to surround her, and in a flash she disappeared and, not a second later, reappeared on the platform she had been staring at. She stumbled slightly, not used to teleporting yet, but stood and looked to Renado.
"I did it!" she said with a clear smile on her face.
Renado clapped for her and smiled encouragingly. "Well done, Zelda." He helped the young Princess off the platform. "I am very impressed by your progress. Teleportation is one of the most difficult skills to master. And yet here you have learned it in a week. Most remarkable."
Zelda smiled sheepishly at Renado's praise as they sat down near the bonfire. "Thanks, Renado. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you; I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done."
"To fulfill your destiny and keep Hyrule safe is all I could ask."
Zelda nodded to him and relaxed, the heat of the fire on her back.
"Have you had any other dreams since the other night?"
"No." Zelda said evenly. "But Link is alright. I can tell."
The shaman just smiled at her. "Alright then."
Just then, Zelda's phone rang in the purse sitting on the platform she had teleported from.
Zelda looked at the bag with some apprehension. 'It's probably Malon again,' she thought. Malon had called at least once a day since Zelda had been in Kakariko Village. She missed her roommate, she really did – and not being able to tell her where she was or what she was doing was difficult. Malon was worried sick and Zelda could tell that much, but h was also a total gossip and couldn't be trusted to keep her mouth shut. Officer Rusl had told her she had to keep where she was hidden a secret so Professor Dragmire couldn't find out where she was hiding. If the evil teacher ever found her, she shuddered to think what would happen to this small town.
"Are you going to get that?" Renado asked.
The shaman's voice brought Zelda out of her thoughts and back to the reality of her ringing phone. She looked at her purse again; she then closed her eyes and held out her hand. A soft green light emanated from her hand, and a second later, her phone appeared. Zelda smiled triumphantly at Renado, who nodded back with a small impressed smile.
Zelda looked at her caller ID and saw that it was actually Shad. A sudden horror fell over Zelda, and she jumped up. "Oh man, it's my boss! I completely forgot about my job, and I've been gone for a week. There's no way Shad isn't going to fire me!"
"Zelda, I don't think..." Renado started, but Zelda cut him off.
"Hold on, Renado." She answered her phone and immediately started apologizing to her boss. "Shad, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about my leaving. It was a last minute thing, and I didn't have time to tell anyone about it, and please, please don't fire me. I'll even work weekends if I have to..."
"Whoa, Zelda, Zelda. Calm down," Shad said to his hysterical employee. "I's alright. Ay'm no going to fire yew."
"You're not?" she said with relief in her voice.
"No, ay jus' wanted to tell yew that the Hero is on his way to Kakariko."
"Really? Link is coming here?" Zelda smiled to herself as she let the information set in. But then she realized something. "Wait, how do you know that? Or where I am? I never said."
"Rusl told me. Ay'm part o' the same group as he and Auru. Ay know all about yew an the Triforce."
"Really? Wow, what are the odds?"
"I's a strange world, it is."
"I guess..." A thought popped into Zelda's head. "Shad, do you know if Link is coming here by himself? Or is he with someone?"
"With someone?" Shad asked, slightly confused.
"Yeah, I mean, is he traveling with two girls; one with round ears and black hair, and another with teal-skin and orange hair?"
The question threw Shad for a moment, not sure how Zelda knew about the Hero's companions or why she was interested. "Um, well, Ashei does have black hair, an although ay'm no' sure wha she looks like, he is with another girl named Midna. Does tha' help?"
"Yeah, thanks, Shad."
"Alright, talk to yew later. And don' worry, yew'll still have a job when yew get back to Castle Town."
Zelda smiled softly to herself. "Alright, later Shad."
She turned back to Renado. "So the Hero is coming, yes?" Zelda just smiled and nodded. "Then we should make ready to welcome him. Would you go and find Luda? She may be out playing with some of the other children."
"Okay," she said simply, still beaming brightly.
Renado noticed the constant grin on Zelda's face, and so with a slight smirk, he said, "And when you find Luda, why don't you return to your hotel room? We are pretty much done with our lessons, and perhaps you have some preparations yourself for the Hero's arrival?"
Zelda's smile was topped off with an embarrassed blush from what the shaman was insinuating, but she also didn't deny it. "Okay, thanks Renado." She ran out of the Sanctuary.
Renado looked content as the Princess left and folded his arms into his sleeves as he set about getting things ready for the Hero.
Outside, Zelda had little trouble finding Luda. She was down the street from the Sanctuary playing a game with some other kids, just as Renado suspected. She walked up to the group of children and the shaman's daughter waved to her. "Hey, Zelda!"
Zelda waved back, and the game broke up as the other children looked to her as well. Zelda had spent some time with Luda's little friends on days when she wasn't too exhausted from her training. She knew some of them, although a few names still escaped her.
She smiled at the other kids then focused on Luda. "Your father wanted you to come home and help him. Some people are coming to visit."
"Alright, then. Later guys." Luda waved good bye to her friends and walked towards the Sanctuary. She stopped when she noticed Zelda was going in another direction. "Zelda, aren't you coming too?"
"Yeah, I am. I just wanted to head back to my room real quick so I can change my clothes."
"Okay." And with that she walked back to her home. Zelda walked the relatively short distance to her hotel room and looked for something to wear to greet Link. She didn't have any of her own clothes here, so Renado had allowed her and Luda to do a little shopping. Just a few outfits so she wouldn't have to wear the same thing every day for a week. Thankfully, Zelda had just done her laundry last night so all of her new clothes were clean.
As she went through the limited options of what she had to wear, she thought about Link and his companions. She had seen them in her vision the other night, but hadn't give them much thought until now. She was curious as to who these girls were. She remembered seeing the orange haired girl in the diner with him on the day they met. She wondered what type of relationship they had. Link had told her about her on their date; her name was Midna if she remembered correctly, which is what Shad had also said. He talked a good bit about her, and he said they had known each other for about a year now and shared a few stories where she was featured. But it didn't seem like there was anything between them, at least not to her. However, you can never really tell with things like this. Maybe Link and Midna dated once, but now they're trying to be friends? Zelda knew from first hand experience that never worked out.
Okay, so she knew a little about Midna, but what about the other girl? Shad said her name was Ashei, so he must know her. But what was her relationship with Link? Why are the three of them traveling together?
"… And why do I sound like a jealous girlfriend?" There it was again. That odd feeling she got whenever the subject of Link Masters came up. First it was an overwhelming urge to make sure he was safe, now she was jealous of women she had never properly met. Why was she acting like this?
It was around midday as Midna drove down the streets of Kakariko with the same blank stare she had during the entire trip from Faron. Link was seriously getting worried. This was the longest Midna had ever gone without saying something, and he was starting to miss her insults and sarcastic comments. But at the same time he understood why she was so quiet, so he didn't want to push her. It wasn't like when she was being tight lipped about Zant. He couldn't make her talk this time. She just needed time to work through her grief.
He just hoped she would be alright.
As they drove through the small mountain town, Ashei instructed Midna to turn into a convenience store. She and Link got out, but Midna stayed where she was. The only movement she made was to put her head down on the steering wheel. Link glanced at her for a second and could swear that her shoulders were shaking like she was crying. He looked away and followed Ashei into the store.
"Ashei, what are we doing in here? We spent the last of our money on gas and those flashlights. Which makes me wonder – how exactly are we going to get to Lake Hylia without gas?" Link asked as they entered the store.
Ashei stopped at one of the shelves and picked up a pack of Twinkies to examine it as she answered him. "We're not here to buy anything. I don't know where this shaman guy who's training the Princess is, so we gotta ask for directions." She put the snack down and walked over to the young man at the counter. "As for gas, I'm sure the shaman can loan us a few dollars if it's for your 'big important mission.'" She turned her attention to the man at the counter casually reading a magazine. "Excuse me..." The clerk looked up them. "We were hoping you could help us find someone. A shaman who lives in this town? Ren-something?"
"Oh, you seek the great Renado's advice?" the young clerk said with mild interest.
"Something like that. Do you know where we can find him?"
"Yeah, he's right down the street." The clerk pointed to his right, following the way the road led. "Go about three blocks, then take a right at the hotel and it's this really old domed building. You can't miss it."
"Thanks." Ashei and Link left the store and returned to the van to see Midna trying in vain to pull herself together. Neither Link nor Ashei brought attention to this and with a glance, they both silently agreed to get on with why they were here.
Ashei came up behind Midna and told her, "Go down the street we came and turn right at the third light. Look for a hotel, then an old building. Okay?"
Midna just nodded slowly, not looking at her.
"Okay," Ashei said sadly. This was just too hard to take for much longer. Ashei didn't even like Midna that much, and it still killed her to see the Goth this lost. And again: she didn't like Midna. But Link... Link was her best friend. Goddesses only know how much pain he was in with Midna like this.
They found the old building exactly where the clerk told them it was. They all filed out of the car and knocked on the door of the building that almost seemed to be falling down.
"How much you wanna bet the shaman is too old to even hear anyone at the door?" Ashei asked, with an idea of Renado similar to Zelda's when she first came to Kakariko. The door opened to a young girl aged around twelve or thirteen with jet black hair and bushy eyebrows.
"Hello," the girl said plainly.
Link was slightly confused to see a kid here. While having flashbacks to the Kokiri that nearly sliced his throat open, he asked her, "Uh, is the shaman here? I think his name is Renado?"
"Yes, hold on. Father! There are some people here!" the girl called further into the building.
A few seconds later and man in his mid-thirties in a robe came to the door. He thanked his daughter, then looked at the group of young people. "I'm sorry, but I cannot see any customers today. I am anticipating the arrival of a special guest and..."
Renado stopped as he took a closer look at Ashei. "You are Archibald's daughter, yes?" Ashei nodded. "I thought so. You look very much like your father."
Ashei just crossed her arms and looked at him with her unchanging, stony gaze. Renado chuckled at her glaring. "And it seems you have his attitude as well." Then he turned his attention to Link. "So I can assume that you are the Hero, then?"
Link nodded. "Yeah, I'm Link Masters. Can we come in?"
Renado stepped out of their way, allowing the three to enter the building. "Of course. Welcome to my Sanctuary." Link and the others entered the Sanctuary. When they did, Link took notice of Zelda sitting in front of a large bonfire in the middle of the circular room. She was wearing a light violet blouse with flowers stitched along the hem and an ankle length off-white skirt.
Link's smile was big, bright, and completely unintentional. He was just so happy to finally be able to see Zelda again. Zelda smiled as well – not as wide, but her happiness was unmistakable all the same. She stood up from the bonfire, and they walked towards each other. For a moment, they were the only two people in the world. They stopped about arm's length away from each other and just smiled.
"Hi," Link said.
"Hi," Zelda replied. They just stared at each other for a minute, smiling, and forgot that anyone else in the room was there.
They snapped out of it when Ashei put a hand on Link's shoulder. "Hey, sorry to interrupt the moment, but isn't some evil guy trying to kill you? Think maybe you should focus on that for a bit?"
"Oh, uh... Sorry." Link scratched the back of his head. "Zelda, this is Ashei. She's with Rusl and Shad's group. She's been helping me learn how to sword fight."
"Oh, really? Well it's nice to meet you, Ashei," Zelda said with a kind, inviting smile. Zelda felt a little better hearing Link explain who Ashei was to him. She was just his trainer; at least that what she hoped she only was.
"And this is Midna. She's... just kinda along for the ride, really." Link pointed out Midna, who had her head down and wasn't really paying attention to what was happening.
Zelda walked over to her and held out a hand. "Hi Midna. Y'know I remember seeing you in the diner. And Link has told me a lot about you." She was smiling brightly; it fell when Midna limply shook her hand and gave her a halfhearted smile in return. Actually it wasn't halfhearted. It was more like...quarter hearted, or something.
Link came up behind her and said, "Midna's kinda having a rough time right now."
Zelda nodded as she took her hand back. She could clearly see a great deal of sadness and pain in the orange haired girl's eyes, and she sent her a small, sympathetic smile.
Then she remembered something. "Oh, Link! I have to tell you something; right before he brought me here, Officer Rusl got a call from someone at the police station, and he told him that Zant was found shot in his cell."
Link glanced at Midna, who had turned away from the group, with her head still down.
"Isn't that horrible? I mean, I know he tried to kidnap me, but I don't think he deserved to die like that. Anyway, Rusl said that he thinks the Dark Lord sent someone to..."
"Uh, yeah, Zelda... We know," Link said, looking very unsettled. Zelda noticed Ashei had moved in front of the bonfire and wore a pensive look on her face, not too dissimilar to Link's expression.
She herself got a worried look and turned her attention back to Link. "You do?" He nodded. "How?"
Link looked away for a second and scratched the back of his head before starting, "Uh, well... Zant is Midna's brother." When he said that, Zelda's eyes widened to twice their size, and she turned to look at Midna, who seemed to be withering away to nothing the longer this conversation carried on. "Before we came here, this freak show named Ghirahim told us Zant was killed. Probably because he expected her to react like this. He said he wasn't the one who did it, but..." Link trailed off as he noticed Zelda wasn't taking her eyes off Midna. Link turned his eyes to the Goth as well when she moved to leave the Sanctuary. No one tried to stop her as she walked right out the door, and after Midna left, the only sound that could be heard was the crackling of the bonfire.
"Why..." Zelda's broken voice finally ended the silence. "I don't understand. Why would someone want hurt another person like that?" She was on the verge of tears; it didn't make sense to Zelda. She knew people could be horrible to each other; they were capable of backstabbing, lying, cheating, and stealing, but..."Why would a person want to just... completely destroy someone else like that?" she asked, looking back at Link
Link was at a loss. He never thought it about like that. He just saw Ghirahim as the monster that tried to destroy Faron, the Kokiri, and his friends, all just to get the Kokiri Emerald. He couldn't even conceive the notion that he was a person. "I don't know, Zelda." It was all he could think to say.
"There are few demons more vile than those born of man," Renado said, placing a hand on Zelda's shoulder. He realized then that the young Princess had never faced true, dyed in blood evil - the kind of evil she would have to face should she follow the path destiny had laid out for her. Zelda looked away and brushed aside a tear that stung at her eye.
"Let us speak of other matters." He turned to the Hero. "Link, is there a reason you came to our small town?"
"Uh, yeah, right." Link explained about Shad's discovery of the Master Sword and the three keys needed to find it. He told Zelda, Renado, and Luda about meeting the Kokiri and the Great Deku Tree and recieving more information, about Ghirahim and what he did and said. And finally showed them the Kokiri Emerald.
Renado examined the stone while contemplating everything he had heard. "The Spiritual Stones… I have heard of them. Many times, the Goron Patriarch Darunia would tell me of the legends associated with them. But, I have never seen one before." He handed the legendary stone back to the Hero.
"Spiritual stones? Is that what they're called?" Link shrugged while pocketing the stone. He then went on to clarifying their purpose for coming to Kakariko. "Well, Shad told us that the Gorons had the second stone. You think it's true?"
"Yes; according to Darunia, the Gorons hold the Spiritual Stone of Fire, the Goron's Ruby."
"So you think this Darunia will give us the stone?" Ashei asked.
Renado put his hand to his chin and thinned his lips as he thought about how the leader of the Goron's would react to the request. "I doubt it. Darunia is a good man, but he's very stubborn. He will not give up something so precious to the Goron tribe easily."
"Great, so we're going to have to do something dangerous to get the stupid stone again, aren't we?" Ashei said, already aggravated by the prospect.
Link just shrugged again. "Well, no one said this was going to be easy."
Ashei crossed her arms and scoffed. Link chuckled softly then turned to Renado. "Can you show us the way up Death Mountain? Whether they'll give us the stone or not, we still need to try. And if you're friends with the Goron's leader, it might help our cause."
Renado nodded and stood. "Very well, Link. I will accompany you and help you plead your case to Darunia."
"Thanks, Renado," Link said.
The shaman nodded to him and said, "But first, you must be tired from your journey. Let us rest for a moment. My daughter and I have prepared a light lunch for you." The shaman led them to the back of the Sanctuary where he and Luda had set up a table with sandwiches, fruit, and tea.
Zelda started to follow them, but stopped and looked back at the door. She couldn't stop thinking about Link's Gothic friend and how she had hurt her without knowing it.
"Zelda?" Link called to her. He then walked back with a concerned look on his face. "You alright?" She nodded silently. "Okay, then are you gonna eat?"
Zelda looked at the door one more time, and then turned back to Link. "Yeah, I'm just... give me a minute, okay?" She left the Sanctuary before Link could say anything more.
Zelda found Midna sitting on the ground outside of the Sanctuary. She had her head down again, and her left leg was folded underneath her right, which was stretched out in front of her. Zelda walked over and sat next to her with her legs folded in front of her. She rested her hands on her knees, and the two sat in silence for a moment. Zelda glanced at Midna a few times, but never for very long.
"I'm sorry," Zelda said, breaking the silence. Midna made no reaction that indicated that she heard the sandy haired girl, so she continued, "I didn't know about you and Zant. I mean of course I didn't – I don't even know you." She smiled slightly, but it quickly fell when she realized she had just made a joke at the worst possible time. "I suppose that's not really an excuse though, is it. It still hurt... Being reminded."
Finally, Midna chanced a look at the Princess. It was the first time she really looked at her. She could barely see her in the diner, and she was too busy being miserable earlier to really take in her full appearance. She was very pretty. She had soft pale skin, almost like she was made of porcelain or something and very light hair; almost blonde like Link's, but more like crisp warm sand on the beach. And then her eyes – Din almighty those eyes. A steely gray-blue that looked right into your freaking soul. They were calming, soothing. The exact opposite of her own bright orange eyes that could burn you to ashes if she chose to. There was something else in her eyes right now, something Midna couldn't place exactly. Pity, maybe.
The two very different sets of eyes locked, and Zelda continued her apology. "Link told us about what happened in the Forest Temple. How that lunatic attacked you. How he seemed... glad to tell you about... what happened." Zelda looked away and wiped a tear out of her eye. That's when Midna realized what that other something she saw was – it wasn't pity, but sympathy. So many people she knew confused the two, but they are very different. If you pity someone, you just feel sorry for them, but Zelda didn't feel sorry for Midna; she understood her. She was able to feel Midna's pain alongside her and she hurting just the same..
Before Midna could wrap her head around the idea that a complete stranger could understand her feelings so well, the other girl looked right into her eyes and asked her, "Were you two close?"
Still not ready to engage in any kind of meaningful conversation (she couldn't just fold to a pair of pretty blue eyes – she had a reputation to uphold, dammit!), Midna just nodded and turned away from Zelda. Zelda nodded to herself.
"I have a sister, y'know. A twin. We're actually pretty different. She's very active. Always outside and running around. I usually stayed in. I just had more fun playing alone. Tetra, on the other hand, always has someone around her. She'll constantly ask why I can't go out, get dirty, do something stupid. I guess what I'm trying to say is we aren't that close," she said with a shrug. She then hugged her knees closer to her chest and got a very distressed look on her face. "But when I heard that Zant was your brother..." She took a breath and shook her head slightly. "I just thought what it would be like if it was Tetra and... What I would do and…" Midna turned to look at Zelda as she put herself through Midna's situation and didn't like where it lead. Zelda sighed heavily and shook her head again. "I just don't think I'd be able to function," she said simply.
"I wouldn't exactly call what I've been doing functioning," Midna said. Her voice was slightly hoarse from lack of use and from still trying to cover a good bit of her emotions.
Zelda smiled at finally getting the other woman to say something. "But you're here now," she said.
"Yeah."
"Link said you drove here. And that you're willing to go up to Death Mountain."
"Yeah." Midna shrugged like it was no big deal.
Zelda giggled slightly. "Well that's functioning, silly."
Midna looked down and bent her outstretched leg up close to her chest, placing her hand on her knee. While she was busy contemplating Zelda's words, the Princess put a hand on Midna's shoulder. Her head snapped back to look at her. The sympathetic look in her eye was gone, but it was replaced with a calm glint and accompanied by a warm, inviting smile.
"Midna, I know you're dealing with a lot right now, but you have to let others help you. Your brother may be gone, but you still have Link and Ashei. And now me, and Renado, and Luda. We aren't your family, but if you're feeling weak, we can help lift you up." Zelda paused for a second, then asked, "Was that too cheesy?" as she tried to lighten the mood.
Midna chuckled at the abrupt tonal shift. She nodded and held up her thumb and index finger apart by an inch or two. The two girls laughed lightly before Midna looked down with a more content expression on her face. "You guys aren't my family, but you're probably a lot better."
Zelda smiled softly. "Another landmine I should avoid?"
"Best to not even bring it up," she said as she laid her head back and closed her eyes. Zelda stretched her legs out and smoothed out her skirt. It was quiet for a moment until Midna said, "You're very comforting, y'know?"
Zelda looked at the Goth who now opened her eyes with a small smile. "It's like... lying face up in a pool on a bright summer day. And you're floating there in the cool water. And it's like there's not a thing wrong in the world. You're just... at peace." She looked back at Zelda, who was still gently smiling at her, and she took one last moment to appreciate those gorgeous eyes. 'It's no wonder that idiot is so into her,' she thought.
"Are you feeling better?" Zelda asked. Midna nodded and followed her with her eyes as she rose to her feet. Zelda dusted herself off and offered a hand to Midna. "Let's head back inside, okay?"
Midna took it and the Princess pulled her up. She dusted herself off as well and as they walked back to the Sanctuary, Midna said, "Thanks, Zelda."
Zelda smiled at her. "No problem, Midna."
When the two reentered the Sanctuary, they heard Link complaining. "I don't believe this!"
Zelda and Midna approached the table and noticed Ashei off in a corner on her phone. Zelda asked Link, "What can't you believe?"
"How nice Renado was to you!" he said, clearly livid about the situation. "You got to sleep in a warm hotel room; I had to sleep on the floor of a warehouse because Ashei and Midna took the only two cots we brought. You got to rest every once in a while, while I had to work nearly to exhaustion! You got new clothes; I've been wearing this same hoody for the past seven days!"
"Oh quit complaining, Twigboy," Ashei said, interrupting her call. "I fed you every day, didn't I?"
"No! You didn't!"
"Oh." She then shrugged and went back to her call.
While Link fumed, Zelda couldn't help but giggle at how mad the Hero got at his trainer. Link then noticed Midna standing tall and looking more like herself. "Hey Mid, you're looking..."
Midna interrupted him by throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. Renado and Luda shared a confused look, and Ashei merely cocked an eyebrow while staying in her conversation. Zelda simply smiled at the display, not a twinge of the jealousy she had been harboring this morning coloring her mind now.
Link was easily the most confused out of anyone. Midna had never hugged him like this. It wasn't like when she broke down on their way to Faron because she wasn't sad; she was just... hugging him. Not sure of what to do, he just patted her on the back. "Um, there, there?" He looked at Zelda and mouthed, "What is happening?" to her. She just shrugged.
Midna eventually pulled back, grabbed a sandwich, and said, "I'll be outside a little longer. Tell me when you're ready to go." She took a bite out of the sandwich and walked out of the Sanctuary again.
Link turned to Zelda as she sat down and asked, "Okay, what the hell happened between you two?"
Zelda just reached for an apple. "We just talked for a while," she said before taking a bite.
Just as Link was about to say something, Ashei came over to the table. "Link..."
Link smirked. "Link? What happened to Twigboy?"
Ashei chuckled softly. "Maybe I'll call you that next time I'm in Hyrule proper."
"What do you mean, 'next time?'" He asked, confused.
Ashei took a deep breath, then released it. "I was talking to the nurse I left in charge of my dad while I was here helping you. She says that he's not any worse, but he's not getting any better either. So I'm thinking it might be time I headed back."
Link got up from his seat and said with a chuckle, "Really? I figured you'd be the kinda person to stick around for the craziness up 'til the end."
Ashei smirked. "Ordinarily, yeah, I would, but I was only supposed to be down here for a week. Week's up, so... Besides, I should really make sure my dad is okay."
Link nodded. "Yeah, I get it. Well, thank you for everything." He held out his hand to shake.
Ashei took it firmly, giving it an extra squeeze that made Link wince slightly. "No problem. Good luck, Link." He nodded again and as she let go to walk past him, he shook his hand to relive some of the pain shooting through it.
Ashei walked up to Zelda. "I'm a little disappointed I wasn't able to see what you were capable of."
Zelda smiled at the stone faced girl. "Sorry to disappoint. If you ever come back to visit, maybe I can give you a demonstration."
Ashei shrugged. "Maybe."
She then turned to Renado and Luda, who had gotten up and walked behind Zelda. "I could call you a cab to take you home if you wish," Renado said.
Ashei shook her head. "Nah. I hitched here, I can hitch back."
The shaman nodded simply. "Very well. Tell your father I said hello." The young warrior nodded to him.
"Have a safe trip." Luda waved goodbye, and Ashei gave a small wave back and made her way to the door.
"Y'know, I'll never admit this to her, but I'll actually miss her calling me Twigboy," Link said as he walked over to Zelda, causing the Princess to laugh. He then turned his attention to Renado. "So when can we get going?"
"Whenever you are ready," said the shaman.
"Alright. " He said so with the intention of leaving at that moment, but then he looked back at the table that still had food on it and realized he was still pretty hungry. "Uh… Then how about we finish lunch, then hike up the mountain?"
Renado chuckled. Zelda was right when she said the Hero was... unique. "Alright then. Let us sit."
And the four of them once again sat around the small table. While they ate, Renado and Link went over what would be said to try and convince Darunia to give them the Goron Ruby. After Link put in the possibility of having to pass some kind of trial or having to do something for the Gorons in exchange for the Ruby, Zelda thought that if he did have to do something like that, it could be dangerous. Until this point, she had just been listening to the two of them talk, processing everything in case she'd need the information for later. But now she felt the need to say something.
"I'm going with you."
Link and Renado both looked at Zelda in surprise. Luda wasn't shocked at all. In fact, she had a little smile on her face as she sipped at her tea.
"Uh, no. Th-the… No. Were you not listening when I told you about the Forest Temple?"
"I was."
"Well, Death Mountain is a volcano. So whatever I'm going to have to do to get the Ruby is going to involve lava… most likely a good deal of it."
"I realize that."
"So... that's... dangerous."
"So it's okay for you to put yourself in danger, but not me?"
Luda sat back and enjoyed the show as Link quickly lost ground. "N-no, but... I, uh, I'm the Hero, and you're the Princess, right? So I have to keep you safe. Isn't that how this is supposed to work?"
Zelda nodded, seeing some truth in his logic. "Okay, I'll give you that. And if I had a kingdom to run I might go along with that line of thought. But! I'm just a college student with no claims of sovereignty. So, I can put myself into just as many dangerous situations as necessary to achieve our goals, same as you." She concluded her speech with a sip of tea.
Renado watched intently as the Hero and the Princess had a battle of wills. Luda only had one thing to say.
"Zelda's going with you, y'know."
Zelda smiled at the young girl – she had learned early in the week that once Zelda had made up her mind, nothing short of Nayru herself showing up would stop her. And even that wasn't guaranteed.
Link looked between the two, and then focused on the little girl. "No, she's not."
"So that kid had no doubt that you were coming?" Midna asked Zelda as the two girls followed Renado up the Death Mountain trail with Link sulking behind them.
"I taught her well," Zelda said, feeling rather smug about the situation.
"And exactly what did you teach her?" Link asked, still feeling rather sour about the situation.
"Never deny a Nohansen woman," she said with a giggle. Zelda looked back and felt a little sorry for Link's wounded pride. "If it makes you feel any better, my sister would have punched you in the face until you said yes."
Midna let out a howl of laughter that echoed throughout the mountain range. "Zelda, I have to meet your sister one of these days! Oh! That reminds me of this time Link royally pissed Telma off..." As embarrassing as the story Midna was telling right now was, Link couldn't help but smile. Whatever Zelda had said to the Goth had really worked. He could tell that she was still hurting, but she seemed to be handling it a lot better than she had been before. Call him a glutton for punishment, but he really had missed the insults and sarcastic comments.
"... And he had to stay out. In the cold. In a pair of swim trunks. Wearing a sandwich board advertising Telma's!" The girls shared in a bout of loud, enthusiastic laughter. Now the humiliating stories… those he could do without.
It only took about an hour to make it to the summit of Death Mountain and the Goron City where they could see a couple of Gorons standing guard with their arms folded. Renado walked up to the intimidating rock creatures, and their faces relaxed from twin menacing scowls to more accepting expressions.
"Renado, welcome. And you too, Princess," one of them said. He then looked over to see Link and Midna, and their scowls returned. "And who are these two?"
Renado gestured for Link and Midna to come forward as he said, "This is the Hero, Link, and his companion, Midna. They have come to see Darunia about an urgent matter."
One of the guards walked up to Link and looked him over. Thankfully, he had already equipped his sword, shield and bow, so he now looked much more like how someone would imagine the Great Hero would look. The guard cracked a smile. "First the Princess graces us with her presents, and now the Hero as well. This is a great day for the Gorons. Come in, please." The guards stepped away and bowed as the group entered the underground city.
The Goron city was massive. Being built into a mountain, the Gorons had plenty of room to expand throughout the tribe's history. Obviously, the fact that it was an underground city meant that there was almost no light from the outside, save for a few slivers that made it through cracks near the upper part of the city. The city was lit by both massive bonfires and normal streetlamps throughout the city. The fires within the city made the whole thing glow. They made it seem like the city itself exuded power. Not surprisingly, the Gorons worshipped the Goddess of Power Din more than the other two Goddesses, and there were many statues of her in all of the most important places in the city.
As they entered the city, the other guard tucked into a ball and rolled ahead of them, saying that he would let the patriarch know they were coming. As they ventured further ahead, Link and Midna looked at the mountain dweller's city, completely in awe of everything it had to offer. Zelda's eyes wandered as well, remembering everything she had seen the last time she was here and pointing out certain important things to the newcomers.
Eventually, they arrived at their destination: Darunia's home. Unlike the outside gate, Darunia had only one Goron standing guard outside his door, with the same imposing stance as the guards outside. The guard stepped out of the way. "The patriarch has been expecting you. Go in."
"That guard got here fast," Midna said to Link quietly. Link just nodded as they walked past the guard and into Darunia's home.
They walked in to see Darunia sitting in a meditative position surrounded by other, much older Gorons. The group seemed to be discussing something important, but Darunia quieted them down.
The patriarch rose to his feet and extended his arms wide. "Renado – it's always a pleasure to see you, brother," he said, walking over and enveloping the shaman in a huge bear hug that threatened to snap the mere human in half.
Thankfully, Darunia backed off before that became a problem. "It is good to see you as well, my friend." He bent his back in an effort to realign his spine after it was nearly crushed.
Darunia gave a loud, hearty laugh that caused his stomach to jiggle slightly. Darunia was something to see. He was larger (both in general size and muscle mass) than most of the other Gorons they had passed on the way here and much larger than the five elder Gorons that were sitting around him. He also had a spiky beard and a pendant with the Goron's symbol on it. "And you have company as well," he said, turning his attention to the three young people behind the shaman, Link and Midna still wide-eyed at the giant rock creature. "It is good to see you again also, Princess." He bowed to Zelda.
Zelda bowed back slightly, even though she was still not used to such treatment. Darunia turned to Link and gave him his full attention, pulling the Hero out of his awed stupor.
"And you must be the Hero." He took a moment to look Link over. "Well, you don't look like much, but I suppose you could surprise us," he said as he slammed his massive hand down on Link's shoulder. Link only just barely managed to stay on his feet, and he gave the patriarch an uneasy smile as he attempted to suppress the pain he was in. Darunia turned his attention back to Renado while putting his fists on his hips. "So, what can I do for you, old friend?"
"This actually Link and Zelda's request. I think they should be the ones to ask." The shaman gestured to the Triforce bearers.
The patriarch again turned to the two as Midna muttered to herself, "Yeah, just go ahead and pass the buck to us, asshole," quiet enough for almost no one to hear.
Slightly intimidated by the questioning look, Darunia was giving them (Farore alive, he was big!), Link looked to Zelda to talk for both of them. Zelda, seeing the frightened look on Link's face, looked up to the towering Goron leader. "We need something that the Gorons have so we can defeat the Dark Lord."
"Of course. Everything we can do to help you, we will do gladly," Darunia said in a kind voice.
Zelda smiled; maybe this won't be so hard after all. "We need the Spiritual Stone of Fire, the Goron Ruby."
The way Darunia's face changed made Zelda think she had just asked him to sacrifice his first born.
"I'm sorry, but no. I cannot give you the Goron's Ruby."
Zelda and Link shared a worried look. Seeing things going downhill, Renado stepped in. "Darunia, please, the Hero needs the stone to awaken the Blade of Evil's Bane. Surely you can see how important this is."
"ENOUGH!" The patriarch's voice boomed throughout the room, making everyone, even the elder Gorons, flinch. "I have made my decision, and no one will defy it," he said while looking at Renado. "Be thankful that we are close friends, Renado. I am not so gracious with others. Now leave us." He walked over to where he had been sitting before and returned to the lotus position. "We still have much to discuss that is of no concern to you."
Renado glared at the patriarch for a second before turning and walking out of the room. Link, Zelda, and Midna followed him. Once outside, Midna asked, "Okay so... what do we do now?"
"I don't know," Link said, and then looked down to think of a backup plan. "Maybe we should just head to Lake Hylia. We'll get the gem the Zoras have, then come back and hope that whatever crawled up Darunia's ass gets out by then."
"I'm afraid that may not happen." The group turned to see one of the Goron elders walking out of Darunia's room.
Zelda walked up to the elder cautiously. "You're Cor, right?"
Cor smiled at her. "Yes, I am Goro Cor. One of Darunia's oldest advisors. I even aided his father when he was patriarch."
"Right. So why do you say Darunia isn't going to change his mind?"
Cor got a pensive look on his face as he folded his arms behind his back. "There is a lot going on with the Gorons lately. Our food source has been drastically cut down ever since those blasted Dodongos showed up in our mine. As you and Renado know, we Gorons eat rocks, and as you can see we are hardly lacking food." Cor gestured to their surroundings, clearly there were plenty of rocks for the Gorons to feast on. "But the rock in Goron Mines are among the most nutritious, protein filled in Death Mountain and without them, our people could quickly become weak and malnourished."
After Cor's explanation, Midna couldn't help but ask, "How do rocks have protein?" but she was silenced by Link jabbing at her with his elbow.
"Cor, I understand you're going through a rough time, but why would this have anything to do with the Goron Ruby or Darunia's hostile reaction to when we asked him about it?" Zelda asked.
"Because the Goron Ruby is located inside the mines. If anyone wanted the Ruby, they would have to face who knows how many vicious Dodongos."
"So this meeting," Renado asked, "is about how to deal with the Dodongos?"
Cor nodded. "Yes."
"I don't get it. You guys are all big and strong; why don't you just go in there and kick the Dodongos out?" Minda asked, crossing her arms. To her, the solution seemed obvious.
Cor chuckled bitterly. "You've never seen a Dodongo before, have you?" Midna shook her head no. "Well, the Dodongo are fire-breathing monsters – like dragons, except not as smart or powerful. But the small ones are about the size of Darunia."
Midna's eyes widened at this new bit of information. "Okay... now I see the problem."
"Not only that..." Renado interjected, "but they also eat Gorons. Is that not right, Cor?"
The Goron elder sighed heavily. "Yes. Darunia does not want to risk the lives of any young Gorons on a mission to rid ourselves of the Dodongo, so he's insisting on going in alone to find a way to drive the creatures out."
"But that's suicide," Zelda said, her eyes full of concern.
"Which is why we are doing everything we can to convince him to take a larger party in with him. But, as you can guess, he is very stubborn."
Renado came up to the Goron elder and placed a hand on his rock-like shell. "Perhaps I could be of assistance in persuading him?"
Cor chuckled triumphantly and slapped Renado on the back, not doing the same kind of damage Darunia would have, but still knocking him forward slightly. "Any help would most appreciated, Renado." The elder then turned to return to the meeting with the patriarch.
Renado turned to his young companions. "I have to leave you three to your own devices for the time being. It may take some time before we can convince him to have anyone accompany him into the mines. I will see if I can talk Darunia into allowing Link to be part of his party as well." And with that, the shaman also re-entered the Patriarch's private quarters.
The three of them stood outside of Darunia's home as the guard retook his place in front of it. Midna stuffed her hands in her pockets. "So what do we do while they're talking?"
"I don't know," Link said with a shrug. "I guess we could look around Goron City until Renado convinces Darunia to help us."
Midna rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed sigh. "Fine – if there's nothing else to do."
Zelda thought about what they could do, and one thing popped into her head. "Well, there is one thing we could do..."
Link and Midna looked at her expectantly. "We could get the ruby ourselves."
The two cooks looked at the princess, stupefied. Finally, Link blurted out, "Are you nuts!?"
"Link, this is the only thing that makes sense."
"In what way does this make sense!?"
Despite Link freaking out, Zelda remained surprisingly calm. "If the Dodongo eat Gorons, then it doesn't make sense for any of them to go into the mine. It's better if something or someone who isn't part of the Dodongos' food chain deals with them."
"Yeah, okay, but... but..."
"You did say that we'd have to deal with something like this to get the ruby," Midna chimed in.
"I know, but..."
Zelda came close to Link and grabbed hold of his hands. "Link, I know we can do this. I mean, remember who we are," she said as she held up her gloved right hand that housed the Triforce.
Link looked at her hand, then into her steely blue eyes. All he could do was sigh. "Alright, fine. Let's go."
Zelda smiled and walked away, sure of where she was going. Link looked at her with a worried expression as Midna walked by and made a whipping sound with a smirk on her face. Link glared at her as she asked Zelda, "So how exactly are we gonna find the Goron Mines? Nobody mentioned where it was and unless you've been there..."
"I haven't."
"Soooo..."
"Sooo all we have to do is ask someone," she said as Link finally started following them.
"And who do we ask?" he asked.
"Are you sure Big Brother said to take you to the Goron Mines, Princess?" the Goron guard asked as he led the three outsiders down the mountain trail.
"Well..." Zelda looked unsure of herself, clearly not comfortable with lying.
Good thing Midna stepped in. "Of course he did. Would the Princess lie about something like that?"
The Goron gave the darker woman an off look, then looked to Zelda. After a moment of consideration, he turned his attention forward. "No, I suppose not."
Zelda looked at Midna, and she just winked at her.
The group made it to the Goron Mines. "Here you are, Princess. May the Goddesses have mercy on you in there," he said, knowing full well the kind of danger the Hero and the Princess were about to face.
Link walked past him and patted him on the arm. "Thanks. We appreciate you showing us the way."
"It's no problem, Hero." He eyed the lot of them and felt he had to speak again. "Are you three sure you don't need any help in there?"
Link and Midna looked to Zelda. She just shook her head. Like Darunia, she refused to put the Gorons in this kind of danger. Link turned back to the guard. "No, we can handle this."
The guard simply nodded, curled into a ball, and rolled back to the city entrance. "Maybe we shouldn't have lied to him," Zelda said after the guard was out of earshot.
"If we didn't, he wouldn't have brought us here. Probably," Midna said. Zelda gave her a look. "Hey, there are definite advantages to having a dishonest person with you."
"She's not wrong," Link said, heading into the mine. "Come on, let go get roasted alive and eaten."
Zelda and Midna smiled at each other and followed him.