Darunia: Chapter Two

The table was pulled from the wall and placed in the middle of the room, and the two leaders took their places at each side. Now that they were face to face, Darunia noted that though he appeared tall at a distance, the Hylian ruler was no taller than the average man.

He wore simple clothes for someone who claimed to be of such high royalty, with only dark green tunic and brown pants with a blue hooded cape on his back. The only thing on him that showed any status of power was this small triangle that adorned his simple sword.

That is how Darunia knew this man was true.

"In apologize for not sending word of my visit, but I assumed it would be more respectful to present myself as I am, not as a King, but as a fellow leader." Nohan stated when he sat down.

"You were lucky to make it alive, this is a treacherous mountain with volcanic rocks falling on a daily basis." Darunia stated, he remained standing, still a bit unsure as to why the Hylian King was visiting.

"It was worth the risk for a chance to meet with you and your people." Nohan replied.

Darunia gave a slight smile pleased by the man's dangerous quest just to meet with his people.

"So shall we get down to business?" Nohan asked, his blue eyes shining under loose blonde locks.

Darunia nodded and took a seat on the ground, Nohan gave a quizzical look and asked if the Goron would like a chair.

Darunia shook his head and stated, "The ground is a more suitable seat for a Goron, and chairs keep us from our natural aura."

"I believe you are aware of the war that has been burning fiercely throughout this land." Nohan asked and Darunia nodded.

"Yes, I am well aware. A few of the races that lived with us Goron's have fled to escape attacks."

"Like the Mogma's?" Nohan asked, and Darunia confirmed.

"That is a relief, there had been talk that they had gone extinct when the races went for them about the Golden Treasure." Nohan seemed genuinely relieved at the news of the Mogma's and continued with the discussion.

"Anyway, I have been to the Zora Tribe and have gotten them to calm down and to cooperate with the Hylians, I am here now to do the same with you. I wish to quell the tension between our two races, and work together to preserve this land without greedy quests for the Golden Power."

Darunia raised an eyebrow, "Hasn't the gate been enough to keep our races at peace? We Gorons don't interfere with the villager's, and we expect for the villager's to respond the same."

"For now the Gate has served its purpose: It kept the villagers from conflicting with you and your people. But in the coming years, as more and more seek the Golden Power that may change. People of all races are becoming obsessed with the ill-guided quest, choosing to cast themselves into despair and sorrow in an effort to take the Triforce for themselves. My goal is that within a hundred years' time, our two races can live together without a gate in between, where the Triforce becomes just a legend, and not a goal and we can all live together in peace and harmony."

Nohan spread his arms wide as he spoke and made sure to put all his passion into what he spoke, and finally ending with a meaningful smile to the Goron leader.

Darunia stroked his beard then replied, "The idea sounds too good to be. Greed is an unfortunate yet natural trail in most beings. We Gorons have done nothing against the Hylians and we did live peacefully with the Sheikhan when they lived there. The villager's don't trust us, nor do they care to see us as equals. Their reasoning for the Gate is to protect themselves from us and their mistaken beliefs of how we live, how can you be sure that in such a short time we can live peacefully?"

Nohan quickly responded with, "I understand your concern, the races have been at war with each other, no matter how peaceful they were before. With the Gate gone, I can't make certain the peace will start nor stay but I am confident that my dream will be a reality."

Darunia, like the other Goron's, enjoyed their peace and their solitude, what Nohan was describing was allowing untrustworthy beings to live among them without fear of ridicule or trouble. Yet, the sound of it was nice to hear. The only things Darunia had gathered from Hylians was that they were a fearful, easily mislead group who had a quest for everything and anything, and many believed that they were the ones who started the turmoil between the races. But this Hylian, this King, was different. He spoke without fear or anger, he spoke with a tone that was equal with every creature that dared crossed this war torn world. It was of peace, and one that would not allow itself to be silenced.

And with that, Darunia knew what he had to do.

"Nohan, I am pleased by what you have to say." Darunia replied, "We Goron's have nothing against your race, nor do we wish to start anything in the future. King Nohan, I, Darunia the Big Boss of the Goron's, give my trust to you with the hopes that you will not take it for granted. I would like for us to dine together and give the news of the harmony to my people!"

Nohan smiled and rose, "And where would we be celebrating?" And with that Darunia smiled.

"Darunia…" Nohan said, his voice losing power in the heat, "I am grateful for the offer… but I am Hylian… I cannot survive this high on the mountain…"

Darunia lead him down through the tunnel in his room and they were both now in the Crater of Death Mountain, where the superheated air was pleasant as a mid-morning breeze to a Goron, and a brush with death to any other creature.

"I apologize. I forgot to give you this, a tunic made from Dondongos' hide. The scales will give you relief from the heat and the ground.

Nohan took the red fabric from the Goron's outstretched arm and began to slip it over his head over the cape and all. Where ever the fabric passed over the skin, he felt cool and pleasant as if he wasn't in the middle of an active volcano. He pulled the hood on the back of it and covered his head and pulled the stretch of red over his mouth to keep his breathing cool and calm. He didn't know how his legs, which only had the brown pants on, stayed cool with the rest of his body.

Darunia had sent word to the entire Goron tribe to meet at the entrance to the Fire Temple so they may hear of the news of their new, brighter future.

The Goron's were everywhere, of all shapes and sizes, even a few towering high over head on rocky ledges toward the lip of the crater. Darunia placed himself at the center on the platform with the symbol of the Triforce upon it.

"Gorons!" Darunia cried out, "We are gathered at the door to the Fire Temple to give praise! This Hylian, the King of them Nohan, has come for offering peace between all races! Even calming the Zora Tribe and working toward harmony between all races! This man has come to us on our terms, asked to speak with me, and gave me his proposal, and I accept. As residents of Hyrule, we are given the responsibility of working together with other races to ensure a peaceful existence. I give you the new future, where the Goron's and the Hylian's live together with the rest of Hyrule!"

The Gorons erupted into cheers at the news of peace, and all the while Nohan the King of the Hylians, felt the power of the Goron spirit which nearly knocked him over. When the feast was broken out, though the King was hungry from his long trip, he would be unable to dine with the Goron's as when offered the sweetest limestone the Dondongo's Cavern had to give, he realized eating the food would probably kill him…