Chapter Thirty Two

~Link's POV~

I stare in disbelief at the spot where Nicky was moments before. What just happened? For a moment, I can't think. It all happened so quickly, so suddenly. I can only focus on three things.

1) That Ganondorf said to come and find him using the Ocarina of Time and the Goddess's Harp. But how do I do that? Just play a random melodies and hope it takes me to wherever he has her? It's not going to be that easy, that's for sure.

2) That he has Nicky. How did he know about her? It's, once again, basically my fault. I don't know how, but it is. That kind of luck plagues me lately.

3) Is it really that obvious that Nicky and I like each other?

After a few moments of blankly staring my mind snaps back into place. I have to find her. I have to find him. I have to end this.

I run outside, right into Tanner.

"Link! What happened?"

I can't talk for a second, so Navi speaks for me. "Ganondorf took Nicole."

Everyone stares in shock. "Where?" Zelda asks.

"I don't know," I answer hoarsely. "All I know is that I have to use the Ocarina of Time and the Goddess's Harp to find them."

"He could kill her," Calen says.

"Wow, thanks Calen. I really needed that boost of reassurance." I grit my teeth.

"Don't talk like that. I actually like her, she's too nice to die." Sheik says worriedly.

"He won't kill her, she's bait for Link." Tanner says. I know he's telling the truth. He speaks from experience.

"But how are you going to find her?" Sheik asks.

"I don't know."

"The desert." Zelda says confidently. "They'll be in the desert. It's home to Ganondorf, he's bound to go there."

"Are you sure?" Sheik asks.

Zelda hesitates for a moment, then nods with confidence. "Yes, I'm sure. I think the power of the Triforce is helping me. I'm positive, that's where they are." She turns to me. "Link, use the ocarina to get to the Haunted Wasteland. There will be a large statue of a Gerudo woman. Play the harp in front of it, and you'll be able to get into the chamber where they're holding Nicky. She's alone, Ganondorf's out setting traps for you. You may be able to get her out without Ganondorf even knowing."

"Woah, how'd you know all that?" Sheik asks her.

"I'm the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom. I know stuff now. I'm sure Ganondorf isn't even aware I know."

"Good grief I'm a lucky guy." Sheik says.

Zelda smiles and kisses him on the cheek. "Yes, yes you are." She turns back to me again. "So you'll be able to get her out without to much trouble."

"You mean we'll be able to get her out." Tanner frowns.

Zelda shakes her head. "No, we won't be able to accompany him. This is his fight, the goddesses chose him. We've helped him as much as we can for now."

"What?!" Sheik yells. "No, I have to go with him. He is not going anywhere without me, end of story."

I smile sincerely at him. He really is my best friend. I think back to all the wild things we did as kids: sneaking into places we shouldn't have been, riding deeper than we should have into the Lost Woods, playing multiple tricks on Alac. We were crazy. And we still are. I couldn't ask for a better friend.

But I know what he has to do, and it's not come with me to find Nicky.

I'm going to miss him...

"No Sheik," I say painfully. "You've got to stay here with Zelda, take back Castletown from Ganondorf's soldiers." He still looks like he wants to argue. I punch his arm playfully. "Sheik, I'll be okay. C'mon, you know me, I've gotten out of worse than this."

Sheik smiles at memories. "Yeah, I guess you have. Just... be careful Hero. Okay?"

"Of course." I smile.

Zelda looks at me sternly. "And don't you dare get yourself killed, Link. I can make you a knight if you get back, so keep that in mind." A knight? In the Royal Army? That was always my dream as a kid. Still is, to be honest. I stare at her, stunned. She just smiles. "You heard me. I could even pull some strings to get you into a high rank without the work. So don't get killed."

I shake my head vigorously. "Wouldn't think of it!"

Calen claps my back. "I'll tell Alac how lucky he is to have you as a nephew next time I see him. Hopefully, it won't be in the dungeons. 'Cause I think that's where he is now. You know him and his backtalk."

Alac. Oh man, I don't care if he yells at me until he's blue in the face, I miss him right now. I miss my old life. But then again... I wouldn't have met Navi, gone on the most amazing adventure of my life, found out that my parents are still alive, and... met Nicky...

I'm going to talk to her about what exactly our relationship is when I see her. Might as well know before I die.

"Thanks Calen. Tell him, as much as it hurts to admit this, I'm glad to have him as an uncle."

Then it's Mom and Dad's turn. Mom embraces me. "I don't want to let you go," She says. "But it looks like I'm going to have to."

I smile weakly. "I wish you didn't have to."

Dad does the same. "Please be careful. I don't want my son skewered by the guy that's been keeping me from you."

"I won't Dad, promise." I laugh.

Last but not furthest from least, Tanner. He embraces me for a while. "You may be my little brother," He says quietly. "But you sure aren't little anymore. Give him a good beating for me, huh?"

I laugh. "I'll give him enough beatings for all of us."

Navi perches on my shoulder. "Coming with you, don't argue."

I smile at the little pixie. "What would I do without you?"

"Die tragically, probably."

I take out the Ocarina of Time, smile at everybody, and then play the first notes that come to my mind. A song to transport me to the Haunted Wasteland, Ganondorf's home in the desert.

To, very possibly, my death.

~X~

I arrive immediately in the wasteland. Sand shreds my face and viciously tousles my hair. I'm blinded. I can't even see five feet in front of me.

"I can't see, Link!" Navi yells as she speeds under the cover of my hat.

I lift my hands in front of my eyes to shield them. Not that it helps. To my surprise, I'm standing right in front of the statue. That was easy. I close my eyes, reach into the Sacred Realm and retrieve the Goddess's Harp. I start playing it, and within a few seconds the statue has moved to reveal a secret entrance, a small black hole in the flying sand. I walk down into it, hoping desperately that Nicole's somewhere down there.