This chapter to AreiaCananaid. Her comment was by far the best and I just died laughing. So here you go sweetie. This is dedicated to you! If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.
-The Adventures to the Forest Temple-
Rinku allowed Link and Navi ahead of him, as he placed his crystal necklace around his neck. Link stopped when he saw this. After he was engulfed in black, he was in his wolf form. Rinku licked Link's hand affectionately and Link smiled. He got on Rinku's back, as he made his way slowly into the village. A few villagers stopped, when they saw a large wolf carrying a very familiar boy wearing a green tunic, followed by a blue fairy.
"Fairy boy?" A female voice cried out in the back. Link looked for the voice and he felt his breath get caught in his throat. It was Malon, the beautiful young girl who was from Lon Lon Ranch. He jumped off Rinku's back and embraced Malon, who ran towards him.
"Malon," Link exclaimed, blushing at how beautiful she became. The seven years definitely did a good job on her. Her red locks cascaded down her back. Her blue eyes held shock and happiness, and the smile on her face made Link's heart melt. "You are so beautiful."
He blushed even more, causing Navi to giggle softly and Rinku held back his laughter. It would have sounded like a bark if anything. Malon giggled, as she poked Link's nose. "You are rather handsome yourself, fairy boy!" Her cheeks turned the same color as her hair, as Link felt like jelly.
"You think so?" He asked sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. She nodded, before she leaned over and kissed his cheek. Link felt his heart pounding in his chest, as he looked at her. "Wow...I never expected this kind of greeting." Malon placed her hand over her mouth, suddenly acting shy. Link motioned for Navi and Rinku to come closer. "Malon before things get carried away, let me introduce you to one of my friends and get you reacquainted with another." He placed his hand on Rinku's head, gently rubbing behind his ear. "This is my friend, Rinku. He is helping me on this mission. And of course, you remember Navi." Malon held out her hand and Navi landed on it.
"It's good to see you again," Malon's smile was bright, as Navi smiled back.
"It's good to see you too," Navi giggled. "It feels like a long time." To Link and Navi, it felt like hours. They knew for Malon, it's been years.
"Yes it has," Malon whispered. "But no need to fret." Navi flew from Malon's hand and landed on Link's shoulder. Malon then gently patted Rinku's head, who licked her hand. She giggled softly. "I think he likes me."
"I think so too," Link said looking around. "But I do wonder, why aren't you at the ranch?" Her eyes clouded sadly, looking away.
"Oh umm..I was running a few errands for Mister Ingo," she explained in a hushed tone. "I need to go back. It was good seeing you." Without another word, she ran from them, leaving Link hurt and wondering.
"What on earth?" Link muttered, looking at Navi. "I wonder what that was about," Rinku watched as she ran off, knowing something was definitely up. He looked at Link, and licked his hand to gain his attention. Link looked at him, knowing what Rinku wanted him to do. "Come on, let's go." Navi flew under his hat, once he got on top of Rinku. Link pointed in the direction of the graveyard, knowing Dampe the gravekeeper might have clues.
When they reached the graveyard, Dampe wasn't in sight. Link got off Rinku, who removed his necklace, turning into a human. He looked at Link, "Is there someone you were looking for?"
"Dampe," he whispered. "He was the gravekeeper." He pointed to the hut. "That's where he lives. Let's see if he is there." They reached the hut and found it unlocked. They entered and saw it empty.
Rinku looked around and spotted a diary that was open. "Um..Link look." He pointed to the diary that laid open. Link came over and the two read the entry aloud, together.
"'Whoever reads this, please enter my grave. I will let you have my stretching, shrinking keepsake. I'm waiting for you. -Dampe'"
Rinku looked at Link, "Wait, what? We are suppose to go inside someone's grave?" Link didn't look to thrilled himself, but he remembered Sheik's words.
"I need something to enter the temple, remember?" Link looked hopeful. "Perhaps this stretching, shrinking keepsake of Dampe's is the key. What have we got to lose?"
Rinku looked away. "Our lunch," he muttered. They left Dampe's hut and then entered the main part of the graveyard. Link noticed a new gravestone.
'Here lies Dampe, the gravekeeper.'
Link studied it for a few seconds, before he got behind and pulled it back. It revealed a hole. Rinku looked down the dark hole. "I guess we go down." Link nodded, as Rinku jumped in the hole. He followed a minute later, so he wouldn't land on Rinku. They both shivered and sneezed at the sudden cool. Link froze silently when he saw a ghost floating near them he recognized it as Dampe. Rinku allowed Link in front, considering he was suppose to be on the quest. Rinku was simply assisting when Link needed it. Navi flew and stayed hidden in Link's hat.
"Heh heh Heh, young men! Are you fast on your feet? I may not look like it, but I'm confident in my speed! Let's have a race! Follow me if you dare!" The ghost of Dampe's smiled at them, as they followed him. He started to throw fire at them, as the boys rolled out of the way to avoid it or they simply side stepped it.
Rinku pushed himself up against a wall, when the fire was literally thrown in front of him. He jumped over it, missing it by a hair. Link managed to dodge the assault of fire. Once they reached a circular like room, the boys managed to run up the side. Rinku was a few feet ahead of Link, when he grabbed Link's arm. Then with all his might threw Link ahead, so he ended up in the room first. The door closed with a slam behind them. Dampe's ghost just floated in place, a grin on his face.
"Hehehe, young men...You were very quick to be able to keep up with me! Hehehe! As a reward, I'm going to give you my treasure. it's called the Hookshot! Its spring-loaded chain will pull you to any spot where its hook sticks. Doesn't that sound cool? I'm sure it will help you! I live here now, so come back again sometime. I'll give you something cool! One more thing! Be careful on your way back! Heheheh..." His ghost disappeared, as a chest appeared in front of them. Navi came out of Link's hat, as he opened the chest. He reached it and pulled out the hookshot.
"Wow," he exclaimed, his sapphire hues were shining with amazement. Rinku gave Link a wide grin, enjoying seeing him happy.
"Come on," Rinku whispered, as they passed through a door, that shut with a loud thud. A large block blocked their path.
"What do we do?" Link looked at Navi, then at Rinku. Rinku's fingers traced the symbol on the block.
"That symbol is at the temple of time," Rinku whispered. Then he turned and looked at Link. "The song of time, maybe there are connected. It's worth a shot, right?" Link nodded, withdrawing the Ocarina of Time from his pouch. He brought to to his lips, and began to play the Song of Time. The block in the way got dissolved by a blue light, allowing Link and Rinku to leave. The two made their way up the stairs. They ended up in the windmill.
"The windmill," Link whispered, when he noticed a music man. He jumped down and was followed by Rinku. The music man looked slightly annoyed, as he eyed Link. Then in a swish moment, he whipped out his ocarina, causing the man to growl at him. He closed his eyes and brought it to his lips.
"What!? You got an ocarina?" The guy narrowed his eyes. "What the heck? That reminds me seven years ago. Back then a mean kid came in here and played a strange song. It messed up this windmill. I'll never forget this song!" Then a soft melody played in Link's mind. Then he played it on his ocarina. The windmill begin to spin faster, as Rinku looked at it. Then man narrowed his eyes at Link. "Oh no, you played that ocarina again!" He growled at him again. Rinku pulled on Link's tunic.
The two left the windmill, as the man continued to growl in frustration. "Wow, that guy is a little...strange," Rinku whispered, as they exited the windmill. Link only nodded, as the two of them left Kakariko Village together. Navi flew out from Link's hat.
"But don't you find it strange that he mentioned something that you haven't done yet?" Navi ventured. "Apparently you went in there and played a strange tune, but you just now learned the song." Link thought about it before looking at Rinku.
"Navi is right," he whispered. He turned to look at the wide open field before he said anything else. "Apparently I'll be a kid again, if I am the one who did it. But that doesn't explain how I'll be a kid."
"Perhaps you'll learn a song that you can travel through time," Rinku said, looking at him. "As it is, you aged seven years and have the appearance of a seventeen year old." Link grinned, looking at him.
"And you are?" Link asked curiously.
"Seventeen," Rinku smirked, as it grew into a smile. "But I didn't age here, you did. Remember, I'm your descendent from many years into the future." Rinku removed his crystal necklace from his pouch and placed it around his neck. In a blur of black, he transformed into his beast form. Link climbed on top, looking at Link.
"From what Sheik said, we have to head to the forest," Link whispered. He pointed to a path that led to the left. "Follow that path and it'll lead you to Kokiri Forest. It may take us two days to get there." Rinku only nodded, before he made sure Link was holding on. Then he took off, staying on the path as Link sat on top of him. As night began to cover Hyrule Field like a blanket, Rinku strayed a little off the path and traveled almost an hour until he found a river. Link got off, as he went to the river. He placed both hands in it and brought the water to his lips. Rinku removed the crystal, allowing him to transform into a human.
"Want something to eat?" Rinku asked Link, who continued to drink the water from the lake. Link looked a little suspicious. "What's wrong?"
Link thought for a second. "For some reason, the water is extremely cold," Link explained. "But it's the middle of summer. Why would it be this cold? Almost as if it's freezing." Rinku raised a brow, thinking.
"I am not entirely sure what to tell you," he whispered. "Perhaps we could check after we finish what must be done in the temple in the forest." The two sat in silence, until Navi flew out from under Link's cap, yawning softly. Rinku smirked. "Have a nice nap, sleeping beauty?"
Link laughed, as Navi blushed. "Oh stop teasing me, Rinku."
"Oh to answer your question, something to eat would be wonderful," Link whispered. Rinku nodded softly, as he began to prepare a meal for them all. Nearly an hour later, after enjoying a meal of flame broiled fish with some corn and fresh milk, the trio sat near the fire, thinking. "You know, this has been the first time in a while someone has taken care of me. I have a forest friend named Saria, who use to make sure I ate every meal." He grinned at Rinku. "I miss her, but I'm sure I'll see her again."
Rinku couldn't help, but smile. 'He really thinks like a child. If only his innocence will last. However, knowing this journey will be filled with pain, heartbreak, and horror, will he be able to retain his innocence?' Rinku stopped, when he closed his eyes. The Hero's Shade suddenly filled his mind. Why was he thinking of him? And what connection did Link have to him? The teen shook his head, reopening his eyes and looking at Link, who was in deep conversation with Navi. He watched the two of them laugh with one another, as a sad smile crossed his lips. 'Poor kid doesn't know that this journey will change him...Mine definitely changed me..Is that a good thing or a bad thing?'
Link gave a small yawn. "I think it's time to sleep." He closed his eyes, as he curled up on the ground, beside Rinku. Rinku only smiled, before he pulled out a cloak from his bag, placing it over Link.
"You truly care about him, don't you?" Navi asked in a soft voice. Rinku nodded, not saying anything. He continue to stare at Link, as though he was thinking.
"This is going to be a cruel journey, Navi," Rinku finally whispered. "It will ultimately change him. Back in my time, I was a simple goat herder. I was happy. My life was content. Then one day, King Bublin came and kidnapped the children from the village, before he knocked me unconscious. I woke up some time later and went after him. I stopped when I approached an area of the forest that was engulfed in something called Twilight, also can be known as the Shadow Realm. The effects of being in the twilight should have turned me into a wandering spirit. However since I am a chosen one," he stopped, showing her his left hand with the triforce symbol on it, "I was changed into a divine beast. That would be my wolf form. For a while, I changed into it when I entered the Twilight. After I defeated the water temple, I restored light to Lake Hylia. However, Zant, the Usurper King of Twilight, showed up and he stole Lanayru's light, making it covered in Twilight once again. He forced me to changed into a wolf. I went to attack him and he shoved a strange crystal into my skull." He then pulled out his crystal necklace. "Zant fatally wounded my companion, who was named Midna. I went to Princess Zeruda in an effort to save Midna. Since I was in wolf form, I had to avoid being seen. Zeruda healed Midna, by transferring her soul into Midna's body. She disappeared and I had no idea where she went. Midna told me to seek out the Master Sword." Rinku pointed to the blade on his back. "Apparently the moment I touched the sword, the crystal materialized in Midna's hand. Now with the sword, I was able to turned into whatever form at will. After that, I continued on my quest."
"Wow," Navi whispered. "You went through so much just to save the kids?"
Rinku smiled, shaking his head. "Not only the kids, Navi. I had to save Hyrule. This twilight was covering the whole land of Hyrule. I couldn't let that happen. It just...worries me."
"What worries you?" Navi inquired.
"I don't know if me being here will change history," Rinku whispered. "And I don't want him to have to suffer as I have. He is so young at heart and such a good person. I am almost a grown man, I will be eighteen soon. He was forced to age because of something called 'Hero of Time.' Did they really think that through, when they chose a child? An innocent, kind-heart, and good-natured child? Sometimes, life can be cruel."
Navi floated by Rinku before landing on his shoulder. "Perhaps, but Link wanted to do this." Rinku looked down at the sleeping form on Link. "But I understand why you worry for him. Don't worry. If you are with us, Link will be fine. He is a courageous and curious child."
Rinku sighed, "Perhaps I am over thinking it. I may go to bed now." Navi nodded, as Rinku put out the fire. "Good night, Navi." Navi slept under Link's cap, carefully not to wake him. Rinku laid beside him, staring at his ancestor's face. "You definitely make me proud and that's saying something. Good night, Link." After a few minutes, he fell asleep.
The next day passed for the trio, who encountered no enemies thus far. Link knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. "I was pretty sure, we would have encountered some enemies by now."
Rinku, who was in his human form, thought about it. He knew that Link definitely had a point. "Maybe we'll find some soon," he whispered, as they entered Kokiri Forest. Link yelped, as a deku scrub popped out from the ground near the entrance to Kokiri Forest. Rinku grabbed his arm and pulled him away at the last second. An octorok started to shoot deku nuts at them. "Move!" He pushed Link towards a hill, knowing the attacks wouldn't reach them.
Link took a deep breath, looking horrified. "What happened to Kokiri Forest? It was always such a peaceful place."
Rinku placed a hand on his shoulder, gaining his attention. "Maybe the evil in the area is causing this. Perhaps if we destroy it, it will all go away?" Link shrugged.
"Let's keep going," he whispered, looking at a wall of vines. Rinku felt his ears twitched, before he got to the top.
"Be careful," he warned. "There is a deku scrub up here. Get ready to run, okay?" Link nodded, as the two made it to the top. The mad scrub tried to shoot them with deku nuts, but the boys managed to maneuver and avoid any damage.
Link looked at Rinku, "Now follow me. I need to find the Sacred Meadow Grove. It can get pretty confusing in here." Rinku nodded, when he began to follow Link through the similar looking tunnels. They stopped, when a small boy with orange hair and blue eyes stared at Link.
"What are you? Though you wear Kokirish clothing, you can't fool me! I promised Saria I would never let anybody go through here." Link didn't say a word, as he retrieved his ocarina. He closed his eyes and began to play Saria's song. Mido stopped, staring at him. Link reopened his eyes. "That melody?! Saria plays that song all the time! You...Do you know Saria? That song...Saria taught that song only to her friends...OK...I trust you. When I see you...I don't know why, but I remember...him..." Mido moved out of the way, as Rinku followed.
"I think he remembers you," he whispered. Link only nodded, still not saying anything. He didn't understand why he grew up and Mido didn't. It puzzled him. He finally made it to the Sacred Meadow Grove, only to have a wolfos appear. Link unsheathed his sword and held his shield in front of him. Rinku stood behind Link, who watched the wolfos with careful eyes. The wolfos lunged at it, and Link plunged his sword into its chest. It howled in pain, when it pulled away. Once it recovered, it lunged at Link again. He managed to plunge his sword into its chest a second time. It disappeared with a mournful howl.
Link replaced his sword in the sheath and wiped the sweat from his brow. He raised his eyebrow in wonder. "Hmmm..maybe.." his voice trailed off. He brought the ocarina to his lips and played the scarecrow song. The wandering scarecrow Pierre appeared on a ledge. Link aimed his hookshot at Pierre, grabbed Rinku's hand. He managed to hoist the two onto the ledge. Link looked around the saw those massive Moblin's holding spears in their hands. "They looked deadly."
Rinku nodded, "No kidding," he whispered. He noticed a staircase not that far. "Is that where we go?" Link nodded, as the two moved silently, jumping over the Moblin's heads. They weren't so smart and they didn't looked up. The two jumped down in front of the stairs and stared in shock. An extremely massive Moblin, holding a club looked at them menacingly. He then began to pound his club on the ground, making the force hit them so they couldn't proceed. Link managed to by-pass him, but Rinku mistimed his jump and was hit by the massive force. Before the Moblin could strike again, Link unsheathed his sword and began to strike at the Moblin's feet. Within seconds, it fell over, dead.
Rinku took a deep breath, wincing out of pain. "Thanks, Link."
He pulled out some Lon Lon Milk, handing it to Rinku. "No problem. Drink that. It'll help." Rinku did as Link told him, and he instantly felt better. The two of them finally approached the center of Sacred Meadow Grove. Link's eyes wandered over to where Saria sat the last time the two of them were there. As he approached the stump, Sheik jumped down, gaining their attention.
"The flow of time is always cruel...Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it...A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days...In order to come back here again, play the Minuet of Forest." Sheik pulled out a lyre. Then Sheik played the tune twice, as Link watched intently.
'Such a beautiful tune' Zeruda mused.
'Believe it or not, the Princess of this era chose the notes, as I did,' Sheik whispered mysteriously. Zeruda couldn't help, but be suspicious of that comment.
Link then played the tune known as Minuet of Forest. Sheik played along with Link. After a few seconds, Sheik put the lyre away. "Link...I'll see you again..." Sheik threw a deku nut and disappeared. Link looked around and noticed Sheik was gone. He glanced up and saw the stump hanging over the broken staircase.
"Come on," he whispered, as Rinku wrapped his arms around Link's shoulders. He shot the hookshot and hoisted the duo up. He put the hookshot away, as they both entered the temple, unaware of the dangers that were in store for them.
Author's Note: This writer's block is murder. I am giving my muse a chance to redeem itself. I really really REALLY apologize for this lame chapter. I was hoping for something with a little more 'oomph' you know. But it didn't happen. What adventures await our two heroes? Stay tuned!