Chapter 7: Death Mountain Temple

"Where to now?" I asked.

"The temples we have left are Death Mountain, Water Temple, Snowpeak Ruins, Temple of Time, and the City in the Sky. I guess you don't know where any of them are. Do you?" Relena asked me.

"Well, no. Should we ask Ilia?"

"Can we?"

"We'll just head back down to Ordon and we can see if Ilia is home. Or, we could see if it is labeled on the map." I reached into my pack and pulled out the map Telma had given us before we left for the Forest Temple. I found Death Mountain, northwest of our current position. To get there, we'd have to travel through Faron Woods, cross Hyrule Field, and pass through Kakariko Village. I made sure Relena understood where we were headed and put the map away. Together, we left the Forest Temple behind us looking forward to Faron Woods. After a difficult trek, we finally passed through the constricted cave, radiant sunlight blinding us. I loved the warmth on my skin despite the intensity with which the sun shone. The weeds tickled the spot on my knee that was scraped, irritating it slightly.

"Ouch!" I complained.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Relena asked.

"Nothing. It's just my knee. I scraped it climbing the ivy wall."

"Well, why don't we stop at the salesman before we head to Kakariko Village?" We grabbed Rain and Autumn and lead them to the oil clerk. "Excuse me sir, could we perhaps trouble you for a wet cloth to wipe Landon's knee?"

"Has the young prince injured himself?" He asked.

"It's just a scrape. I'll be fine." I assured them.

"Well, you never know. You should always clean out a wound to avoid infection. I'll go in the house and see what I can find. For now, please take a load off; you two look like you've been through a lot." He offered the rock that he had been perched on and disappeared into the house behind him.

"Relena, it's really nothing. I'm fine." She still pushed me down on the rock.

"I don't care what you say. I'm looking at it and cleaning it." She ripped my pant leg up over my knee. She was surprisingly gentle over my scraped knee; I thought it would aggravate my…wound with how hard she tugged on my pant leg. I caught myself thinking that this situation was kind of awkward. What do I have to feel awkward about? It's Relena of all people. I always got hurt in front of her and my mother used to handle my wounds the same way. Except of course….my mom's hand didn't…linger on the top of my thigh. My heart raced and thrashed against my chest. Sweat was collecting along my brow and even in my palms. Why on earth was I so nervous about Relena cleaning my knee? There was nothing…weird about this. Relena had to have been feeling somewhat awkward as well; I could only tell because she was constantly watching the house for that merchant to come back with a wet cloth. Either that or she was just waiting for the merchant to come back. Perhaps my imagination was running wild; buckling under the stress and heat of the day.

"You've been awfully quiet Landon." Relena said.

"Huh? W…what?" I nervously asked. I looked down at Relena's hand that was still on my leg.

"Are you feeling okay? Are you sure only your knee is a problem?" Her hand still slept on my thigh. Her hand felt hot, as did my thigh, but that was only because my mind wouldn't stop thinking about the fact that her hand was touching a part of my body no girl had touched before. My head cleared enough to realize Relena was staring at me while I argued with myself in my mind. I am such an idiot. Thankfully, the merchant came back at that moment.

"Okay kids. Here you go." Relena took the cloth from him and concentrated on my knee. Throughout the cleaning, we didn't utter a word. I hissed a few times at the stinging her scrubbing left behind but she didn't even bother to scold me for making such a sissy noise. "So, where are you kids headed?"

"We're going to Death Mountain. I have to find my parents." I said. "Ouch! Relena, what did you do?"

"There was a thorn in your knee. I pulled it out. I honestly don't know how you didn't feel that."

"That's going to bleed for a while there bud. Here." He handed me some linen. "Give that to your little lady and she can wrap it for you."

"She's…she's not…I mean…" I struggled.

"I'm just his friend." Relena finished for me. She smiled at me; it wasn't a fake smile either; she was genuine so I understood that she was okay with our relationship where it was. The last thing either of us wanted was something to make it complicated. I handed her the piece that merchant handed me and she got to work. I still hissed when the linen rubbed against my wound and when Relena cleaned up the remaining blood. She requested a pot of water to wash her hands in and the merchant vanished into the house again after one.

"So, will I live?" I teased, finally standing up. That rock did a number on my backside, I didn't understand how that merchant could sit there as long as he did.

"I think so. Although, your stupidity disease could still kill you in the future." She thumped her shoulder against mine playfully. I nearly lost my balance. I stood myself upright, chuckled, and nudged her back. We giggled and laughed together and for just a moment, I swear I felt something spark between us.

"Well I'm glad you two are having a good time." A strange woman came from Hyrule Field; she scared the living daylights out of me. She was about five feet, eight inches tall; she appeared about six foot if you counted the inches her black afro added. She had a shirt that met just below her breasts, showing off her pale skin. On her forehead, she wore an orange head band and from the looks of it, she had been sweating recently.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"My name is Iza. I've just traveled here all the way from Zora's Domain. My sister, Hena is somewhere behind me. Who might you be?"

"This is Relena." I said, gesturing to her. "And I am Landon."

She was shocked. "As in Prince Landon?" She got down on one knee. "Forgive my rudeness Your Highness. I did not recognize you."

"Please get up Iza. Out here, I am nothing more than just Landon." I went over and helped her to her feet. Just then, another woman passed under the arch, separating Hyrule Field from Faron Woods. "You are Hena I presume?" I asked her.

"Yes, and just who might you be to address me by name though I don't know you." Hena asked. She huffed and puffed out of breath until she finally reached her sister. Hena rested her arm on Iza's shoulders and huffed some more. "Couldn't you have waited for me sister?"

"You were too slow. Anyway, this is Prince Landon and…some girl from Castle Town I'd wager." Iza said.

"Relena. Her name is Relena." I defended. "And she happens to be my best friend and she lives with me and my parents in the castle."

"So sorry Your Highness. I had no idea." Iza apologized. Relena thanked me under her breath. "If I may ask, what brings you two all the way out to Faron Woods?"

"I could ask you the same. Relena and I came from the Forest Temple; we are looking for my parents." I said.

"And we're on our way now to Death Mountain because our search was for not in the Forest Temple." Relena finished.

"Oh my! The king and queen have been kidnapped?" Iza asked horrified.

"How awful." Hena said.

"Hena? Iza? What are you two doing here? You hadn't told me you were coming." The merchant said. His voice surprised me yet again because I had not heard his approach.

"Hello brother." Hena greeted.

"We've come to ask a favor of you, Coro." Iza said.

"What is it sisters?" The merchant Coro asked.

"Hyrule is being thrown into chaos. Villages are being burned to the ground, from Zora's Domain to Lake Hylia. I pray they haven't yet reached Kakariko or Ordon but I fear they soon will." Iza explained.

"We have come for your help brother. Our businesses were also hit by these fires. We ask that we may stay with you for the time being." Hena asked.

"Of course." He turned to Relena. "You may quickly wash your hands but I'm afraid I must ask you to be off. My sisters and I have much to discuss and to do. I'm very sorry you have not found your parents yet Young Prince. I pray the goddesses be with you on your journey." He bowed to me. "To you Miss Relena, looking at you, I'd say you may be the only one able. But I employ you to take care of our prince. He is our last hope."

Relena smiled warmly. "You have my word good Coro." Her glance fell on me as she said, "I will always be by Prince Landon's side." The three siblings smiled, hope and warmth filled their eyes. Relena and I mounted Rain and Autumn and we waved goodbye to the kind Coro and his sisters, Iza and Hena. We passed under the arch into Hyrule Field. The blazing sun was setting over the horizon; I stopped Rain in her tracks and turned to Relena and Autumn.

"We should make camp for the night." I suggested.

"Or perhaps we should stay in Kakariko and climb Death Mountain in the morning?" Relena proposed.

"That was what I was referring to when I said "make camp". We should go ahead into Kakariko and find an inn." We kicked our horses into gear and made for the path into Kakariko Gorge.

"Do you think the fires have not spread to Eldin Province?" Relena shouted. Rain and Autumn were racing to keep up with each other.

"I don't know for sure. But we've got no choice but to find out." I shouted back. When the path grew narrow, Rain and I fell behind to allow Relena and Autumn first passage. Glancing at the way her hair blew back in the wind, I thought I could smell Relena's hair. She still smelled as sweet as if I were holding her in my arms at this very moment. I mentally shook myself. "Wake up Landon." I uttered to myself. "There is no time for thoughts like that." We trekked over the bridge and up the hill to the closed gate into Kakariko. We dismounted the horses and Relena and I studied the locked gate.

"It's locked from the inside." I said.

"Now what do we do? How will we get in?"

"I don't know. But we've got to find some way in."

"What about Hyrule Field beyond the West Gate of Castle Town? We could ride back to Hyrule Field, and go in the South Gate. From there, we can go through the West Gate and come down the path out of West Hyrule Field."

"But how shall we get the horses to the West Gate? We can't take them through Town. And besides, we have no idea what condition the castle and Castle Town are in right now and we can't risk getting captured."

"Who goes there?" A booming voice called from the other side of the gate.

"I…am Prince Landon. My companion Relena and I would like to seek passage into your village for the night if we may."

"Prince Landon?" The booming voice asked.

"Yes." A rusted sounding lock crashed to the dirt and the gates creaked open. A large, yellowish creature towered in front of us, completely barricading the way into the village.

"Please show me confirmation."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Show me you are the Royal Prince as you say." The creature demanded. I handed him the family crest that was gifted to me by Mother and I also gestured to the Hero's Tunic of Father's. He looked between the crest and the tunic suspiciously but then he smiled warmly out of nowhere. "So sorry I doubted you Young Prince. Follow me." He gestured us forward and Relena and I mounted our horses again. On the horses, the creature's head was still above that of Rain and Autumn.

"If you don't mind my asking, what exactly are you?" Relena asked.

"I am a Goron. I stand watch in Kakariko. Why are you humans seeking Kakriko?" He asked.

"We would like some rest before we climb Death Mountain tomorrow." Relena said.

"We're searching for my parents. Have you seen either Mother or Father being taken into the mountain?"

"Hmm…me thinks me saw a group of strange black creatures drag something up to the mountain but I didn't get a good enough look to see him. I'm sorry."

"That is okay my friend." I said. "Thank you for allowing us passage into Kakariko Village."

"You must speak to Renado. He is the one who will give you room, food, and beds. He spends the day roaming the village or hidden away in the sanctuary. I will take you to him." Beams of sunlight opened up the village that lay just around the corner; its rays exposed each tiny detail of the road, the homes, and even the water of the Eldin Spring. A rounded hut sat next to the spring. Relena and I dismounted the horses and lead them to the spring. Loyally, they drank from the spring and stayed put. The Goron opened the double doors into the brightly lit sanctuary but did not enter with us.

"Hello weary travelers. How may I be of assistance?" A thickly robed man asked us with arms wide open as if to embrace us.

"Are you Renado by any chance?" I asked him.

"That is correct. And whom might you two be? Where do you come from?"

"This is Relena and I am Prince Landon. We've recently came from Faron Woods and we were hoping we might rest here before climbing Death Mountain tomorrow." I said for what felt like the fifteenth time today.

"Oh my goodness. That would make you Link's boy correct?" Renado asked.

"Yes sir."

Renado smiled. "Your father came through this village once before. He also climbed Death Mountain. Before he did, no one had dared to climb that mountain. You're the spitting image of him if I may say so."

Relena and I exchanged confused glances. "So…does that mean you will allow us to stay here for the night?" Relena asked.

"Why of course. We only have one inn here in the village. It's right this way if you'll follow me." Renado passed by us to the double doors we had just come through and lead us into the village. I looked around the buildings as we passed; there was a little shop by the name of Malo Mart. That must have been the original Malo Mart that the one in Castle Town is based off of. We finally came to the inn; the interior resembled an old western style bar but there was no bartender behind the counter. I wasn't sure there was really anything through that corridor. The wide open foyer stirred some homesickness deep in my gut. Renado and Relena continued up the winding staircase, unaware of my hesitation. I raced to catch up to them. Renado creaked a door open, peered in, and opened the door the rest of the way.

"As you can see, we have several guest beds arranged around the room here. Feel free to choose whatever bed you wish. I shall return with a meal for the two of you. If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll let you get settled in."

"Thank you for your kindness Renado." Relena thanked him.

"The pleasure is all mine my lady." He bowed and closed the door behind him. Once he was gone, I flopped onto the closest bed and sighed.

"Somebody needs a nap." Relena giggled, settling down in a bed beside me. "Are you gonna be okay Landon?"

I sighed again. "I'll be fine. I just need to sleep…for…a…few…hours." My body grew warm and heavy…I could feel my eyelids sealing themselves against one another. My mind was slowly shutting down piece by piece. My eyes snapped back open at the sound of the door creaking open. Renado had come back with a tray of food for Relena and me. We sat up and ate our dinner in silence. After we finished, Renado took away the tray and wished us a pleasant evening. I stepped out of the room long enough for Relena to change into something comfortable to wear to bed and she showed me the same courtesy. When I came back in, I waited for her to crawl into bed and get settled under the covers.

I turned down the lanterns in the room and crawled under the covers myself. As I laid my head on the pillow, a million and one thoughts poured into my mind. Earlier, I was ready to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, but now I couldn't shut my mind off. I forced my eyes closed and I shoved the other thoughts aside and said over and over in my head, "my eyelids are heavy and warm". Nothing seemed to help.

"Landon." Relena whispered in the darkness.

"Yes Relena?"

"What's on your mind?"

"Nothing." I responded automatically.

"I can practically hear the wheels in your head turning at full speed. And you keep tossing around, so I know something is on your mind."

I sighed. "I don't know what to say Relena. I just have a lot to think about now and I can't get to sleep because of it at the moment."

"Then can I at least ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Do you think your dad is in Death Mountain?"

"….It's too early to say."

"For the record, I think he will be. He has to be. Listen Landon, there's no point in losing your mind over this. I love your parents as much as you do; they took me in off the streets and made me a part of your family. But I just know that we will find them and they'll be safe and everything will be okay again."

"Thanks Relena. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Landon."