Disclaimer:

I do not own Ocarina of Time nor any part of the Zelda franchise.

All rights go to their respective owners.

This story is a work of fiction and corresponds to the story line, but does not follow it exactly.

This chapter is rated: K

A/N:

I apologize for the brief hiatus; school work and the holidays kept me occupied.

Thank you for the reviews! You guys are the best.

Chapter 4: Goron City

Kakariko Village wasn't a long trek up the mountain like Link expected, but rather it was close to the base-and he was grateful. The village was small with only one farm and a fairly rowdy construction troop galavanting around. It had a windmill, a well, and a few miscellaneous shops, but that was about it. Navi insisted that Link go straight through the small village and up the mountain, but the boy found his tender heart kept him busy chasing down cuckoos for a woman who was allergic to them. Navi was less than impressed by Link's chivalry, but the woman was so grateful she gave Link a shiny glass bottle.

"Great," the fairy complained to Link, "since you simply had to chase smelly cuckoos the sun is already setting!" Link shrugged his shoulders and the low rumble from his gut caught his attention more than his nagging companion did. Navi turned red whenever Link turned and walked away from her whilst she was ranting. "You get back here, idiot boy!" Navi snapped and ducked underneath Link's hat, completely fed up with him. Link smirked slightly and knocked on the door of a home where a delicious smell was emitted from.

A plump woman with her brown hair tied off in braids welcomed Link in and invited him to dinner. Link was surprised to see the construction workers gathered around the bunk beds inside while the grumpy foreman barked at them-it didn't seem to affect them in the slightest. The woman gave Link a bowl of creamy soup and turned down the blue rupee he offered in return.
"It's no trouble, boy, I made far too much."
Link listened to the men speak while he silently ate his soup.
"Geez! That geezer sure was extra grumpy today. I'm beat, boys. I could use a little fun."
"I hear ya. This village is about as interesting as drying paint, though."
"Hey! I know, why don't we stop by the graveyard and scare ol' Dampé?"
"No!" The other men echoed in horror. "Dampé is horrifyingly scary!"
Link put away his bowl and despite the fatigue from travel, his muscles burned with energy and excitement. He would meet this Dampé.

It turned out Dampé wasn't as terrifying as Link was led to believe. He was just an old, hunchbacked man with a few missing teeth and impressive arms from digging graves. Link quietly observed the man from the fenceline, Dampé moved slowly and carried his shovel over his brawny shoulder. "Who goes there?!" Dampé suddenly yelled and Link felt his blood turn to ice. The boy steeled himself and walked through the graveyard gates so Dampé could see him. "Oh, just a boy. You here for the tour?" the old gravekeeper asked Link. "Dampé's Heart-Pounding Gravedigging Tour. Only ten rupees." Link quirked his brows up in slight confusion, but he wasn't one to turn down adventure.

He gave Dampé the money and the old man smirked and lumbered off towards the nearest grave; Link followed and watched curiously. "So you want me to dig here?" Dampé questioned, and Link could only meekly nod his head. The old man heaved the shovel off his shoulder and shoved it into the hard earth. His movements were labored and his breaths were shallow-Link was about to tell the old man to stop, that it was okay-but Dampé hit something solid and it caused the gravekeeper to grin his toothless smile. "There ya are lad. Go on, open it up. There may be treasure inside."

Link was beginning to question the legality of this "business" Dampé had, but he wasn't about to tell the old man no after he'd labored digging for him. Link steeled himself and leaned over the hold, finding a rotten wooden coffin. He swallowed thickly before reaching down and pulling back the lid, only to find a nearly decomposed corpse inside. Link retched, but suddenly the corpse gave out an awful scream that caused Link to stumble back and land on his rear. Dampé was apparently much faster than he let on, because the old man was already tucked away inside his shack, quivering from fear.

The corpse grabbed at the earth on either side of the hole and lifted itself up. It was wearing a wooden burial mask, but Link was glad not to see any rotting features of what used to be a person. The boy shook as he grabbed at his sword and shield. The ReDead moaned softly, barely audible, but it was the sound of pure misery. Link felt his blood freeze inside his veins as the zombie lurched towards him with slow, clumsy steps. He scrambled to his feet and tightly clutched his wooden Deku shield. Link tried to steady his breathing and recalled his battle with the wicked Gohma-he had acted on pure adrenaline and instinct then, but he had been brave and he needed to focus on vanquishing this new evil like he had then. Link circled the rotting humanoid, it slowly turned to face him as he moved; he launched at it with a fearsome cry and buried his sword deep into the creature's back. The ReDead emitted a terrifying scream of pain, then collapsed.

Link pulled his sword back out and found it stained black from old blood. A small pool of black was starting to pour out of the corpse and the air stank of death and of the rotten organs now exposed. Link slashed off the creature's head to make sure it was truly dead, then ran his hand along his sword to clean it of the blood. It stained his small, pale hand dark. Link walked to the old gravekeeper's shack and streaked his handprint down his door, then he wrote in the Hylian script: Never Again. It was a warning to the man that if he put anyone else in danger for a few extra rupees in his pocket, then Link wouldn't be there to save his sorry behind.

The moon was high in the night sky and Link was exhausted from that terrifying experience, but he walked through the silent village that night and went to the guard at the gate to Death Mountain. The guard was asleep, so Link just climbed the fence and walked on without a care. By dawn he'd trekked up a large portion of the mountain and was in sight of Goron City.

Link had heard the Gorons were a lively race always joyful and dancing around their mountainous home, but when he arrived Link saw quite the opposite. The large creatures were lying around clutching their empty tummies and moaning pitifully. There was no music in the air and torches were scarcely lit around the huge cavern. Link walked past the beasts, his tender heart bleeding at the sight of their misery, and traveled down to the bottom floor of the city. Link was so tired he could barely stop himself from falling asleep on his feet, but he grabbed his ocarina and played the tune Impa had taught him-the sign of the royal family.

A large Goron with white hair and tribal markings all along his arm appeared; Link guessed this was the Goron in charge. "You're the royal messenger?" The Goron curled his massive lip in disapprovement and flashed his yellow, animalistic teeth. "The King, my sworn brother, insults me by sending a mere child to aid me?! My people are starving!"
Link shrunk away from the Goron's imposing yell and the angry leader stomped back inside his quarters. "Ruin. It's all gone to ruin." Link heard him grumble. The boy followed the Goron inside and saw him rubbing his brow in worry. "What do you want, boy?" He snapped angrily. "Can't you see I'm miserable enough?"

Link pursed his lips slightly and took out his ocarina. It wasn't much, but the least he could do was play a song to ease the burden in this man's heart. Link played the lively tune Saria had taught him long ago. It was one that radiated happiness and childish whimsy of the forest. The leader at first stared at Link in wonder, then let himself go and moved to the music. Link joined him, and soon the very ground shook from the dancing Goron and little Hylian boy. When Link finished the song they were both panting, but the Goron had let a small smile creep upon his lips. "Thanks kid, I really needed that. I am Darunia, leader of the Gorons. Who are you?"
"Link." The boy answered back plainly and caused Darunia's smile to widen. "Link, why have you come here?"

"We need the Goron Ruby." Navi piped up and flew from underneath Link's hat. Darunia lost his smile. "That stone is sacred to my people. I can't trust it to strangers." Darunia scratched at his beard. "But, if you were to go slay the beast inside Dodongo's Cavern I might reconsider. It's a heavy task, are you up to it?"
Link nodded his head. He would've much rather took a nap than slay some terrible beast, but Princess Zelda had tasked him with collecting these stones and he would not fail her. Darunia's laugh filled the cavern and echoed off the walls-for a moment it drowned out the pained cries of his people. "Then go forth Link, mighty hero, and slay the king of the Dodongos."
Link took a deep breath and turned towards the door, but Darunia placed a massive hand on his shoulder. "Here boy, accept this gift before you go. Thank you for relighting the hope in my heart."
Darunia handed him some gold plated bracelets. They were heavy, but once Link slipped them on he felt a surge of power rush through him.
"The bracelets are enchanted to enhance strength. It is a gift from me."
Link thanked Darunia and hurried out the door with Navi goading him on. The Goron watched the boy leave and exhaled softly. He surely hoped this lad was the champion who would save them.

By the time Link had traveled a large portion back down the mountain it was beginning to grow dark outside, he knew he'd have to find shelter. Link wearily looked up at the gaping mouth of the cavern where an evil beast laid in wait, and it was starting to look more and more appealing. His legs felt like lead, but he drug his feet into the cavern and laid down his supplies near the mouth of the cavern, It was warm on Death Mountain, so Link didn't have to shiver and curl up into a ball for warmth tonight. He had trouble falling asleep with the sound of Tektites scratching around outside and Keese flapping their wings inside, but whatever rest he did attain was gravely needed.

Link was startled awake at one point by the screech of silver scaled baby Dodongos. Link leapt to his feet by mere instinct at this point and snatched his weapon. The group of limbless reptiles snapped their jaws at Link and leapt up at him with powerful muscles. Link slashed at one with his sword, but had to quickly duck behind a boulder as the defeated enemy writhed, then exploded. The explosion caused the others to turn belly-up and explode onto the cavern walls as well in a chain reaction. Link glanced down at his singed and now blood spattered tunic, then exhaled heavily as he carefully gathered up his pack and crept further into the cavern.

He obtained a bomb bag inside one of the dungeon's rooms (which he was disgusted to learn was the stomach of a Dodongo) and was gently peering down a dark hole inside one of the rooms. He heard the low roars of something inside, but his heart was pounding incredibly fast and it was hard for him to catch his breath. He'd fought grown Dodongos along with more babies and his tunic and boots were absolutely covered in grime and guts from the beasts. Link hadn't seen his reflection, nor did he really care, but he looked like an absolute mess. His hair was tangled and bedraggled and his eyes had dark crescents beneath them. The boy glanced down the hole once more and swallowed heavily.

"King Dodongo is down there Link. Go forth, brave hero!" Navi nudged his shoulder and Link frantically shook his head no. The fairy sighed in exasperation.
"You'll be fine." Navi lied. "You have a new shield and plenty of bombs."
Link wasn't exactly proud of looting the Hylian shield from a fallen soldier (a skeleton, to be exact), but he didn't stay around to ask permission once he recalled the ReDead. The shield was heavier than his Deku shield (a casualty to the lava inside this dungeon), but it was sturdy and covered more of him-if he crouched down it completely protected him. His body quivered from the fear icing his veins, but with one hateful push from the fairy Link disappeared down the hole with a terrified scream.

The room he landed in had a molten lava pit in the center. Link groaned and stood himself up, sore from the fall, but his eyes were frantically scanning the room for whatever was making those distant growls. A mighty beast shook the ground as it took heavy steps towards the young boy. It opened its massive maw and roared, revealing rows of knife-like teeth. "Infernal dinosaur, King Dodongo." Navi announced. "Quick Link, throw a bomb into its mouth!"
She didn't have to tell the boy twice. Link reached into his pack and pulled out a fist-sized bomb. He scraped it along the rocky edge of the cavern and lit the fuze. King Dodongo took slow steps towards him again and opened its mouth, Link threw the bomb as hard as he could. The creature sputtered, momentarily stunned as the foreign object exploded inside its throat. Link rushed towards the tail, a weak spot on the adult Dodongos, and started slashing wildly. King Dodongo roared in fury and curled itself up into a ball, rolling around the thin slice of earth parameterizing the lava pool. Link crouched beneath his shield and blessed the goddesses that the monster's massive spikes bounced off the steel.

So began the game. Link would hurl a bomb and slash, then duck beneath the shield. Sometimes King Dodongo outsmarted the boy and ran him into the lava or singed him with a blast of fiery breath. Link plunged his sword deep into the horrible beast one last time as King Dodongo let out a deafening screech. Link barely had time to pull his sword out before the creature rolled up and fell into the pool of lava. Link watched in slight horror as King Dodongo sunk deep under his own weight. It took a long time before the creature finally died.

When Link came stumbling out of the cavern there were Goron people waiting for him. They saw him slick with sweat, blood, and covered in burns. Link slowly nodded his head and the Gorons broke out into gleeful cheers of triumph. Darunia was among them and despite Link's injuries he wrapped him in a tight hug. Link roared in absolute misery and felt tears form in his eyes. "We're now sworn brothers." Darunia smiled, looking almost smug. "Here is the Goron Ruby you requested."
Link took the red stone and tucked it away carefully next to the Kokiri Emerald. The other Gorons closed in on Link with their arms open wide for hugs, but the boy dashed away screaming while Darunia laughed.

Link climbed higher on Death Mountain to escape from the joyful Gorons and their crushing hugs. He found a weak spot in the mountainside and lit a bomb. A slew of rocks and debris tumbled away, but once Link stepped inside he found a fountain long sealed away. It had water rushing from it and was surprising cool inside. The boy stripped out of his tunic and boots, soaking his burned skin in the soothing water before he started to wash his clothes. Link swore he heard a taunting laugh, then a fairy appeared from the center of the fountain. It was obviously a woman, judging by her exaggerated feminine-er-features. The fairy regarded Link with curiosity, the way a child might judge a toy. "Oh young hero, I will soothe your wounds." She cooed. The fairy reached down and placed her hands on Link's own, and the boy shakily moaned in relief. A cool feeling overcame his body and the seared flesh healed itself as the pain died away. Link looked up at the fairy in wonder; she crossed her legs and laughed.

"That was an incredible feat you've performed for one so young. Please accept this gift as well." The fairy outstretched her hands and a green light filled the cavern. Link glanced down a his body, and frowned at the the tingly numbness overtaking him. "You can now use magical objects, hero. Visit my sisters on your journey and they shall gift you as well. When the battle has made you weary please come see me again."
The fairy cackled and spun on the tips of her toes before exploding into a shower of light, then she was gone. Link gathered up his soaked tunic and pulled it back on-it didn't matter to him at the moment if he chafed-then hurried out of the secret place.

The trek down Death Mountain was just as hard as the climb, and once he reached Kakariko Village, Link lost all his strength and laid in the middle of the grassy village square. The kind woman from before took him inside and let him sleep, but after she returned from running some errands the boy was long gone and a blue rupee was in his place. Link walked with Navi up the river. Next stop was Zora's Domain, the home of the Zora's Sapphire.

A/N: Our hero is getting better with that sword of his! Next up is the Zora Domain and the quest inside Lord Jabu Jabu.

I tried to space the text out more so it was easier to read, tell me if I did a passable job! Format thumbs up or down?

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