Link awoke on the sand of the spirit spring. He stood, for a moment surprised that his muscles were no longer sore or tired from the training. The golden wolf was gone, leaving him alone in the spring. He stretched and walked back to Epona, jumping into the saddle and nudging her into a trot. 'Time to head home, girl, and tell everyone that the kids are okay.' He smiled as he passed his house, taking in a deep breath of the familiar air and basking in the sunlight.
Back in the village, Hanch was standing on the rock platform again, staring up to the skies. He pulled at the reins so that Epona stopped, and then stepped down from the saddle and climbed up the vines to stand next to Hanch. Hanch must have heard Link, turning to face him. His face was still drawn into a worried expression, though he offered the smallest of smiles as he saw Link.
"Oh, hey Link..." Hanch sighed defeatedly. "Mayor Bo was gonna go look for the kids, but.. Uli said the beasts stole the sword the mayor was going to use." Link ignored the pang of guilt as best he could.
"I've found them, they're staying in a village called Kakariko." Hanch's eyes widened.
"My daughter, Beth... she's okay?" Link nodded, smiling.
"She's okay. They're staying in Kakariko for now since they don't have any carriages to protect them from the monsters in the field, but they're safe." Small tears formed in Hanch's eyes.
"This is fantastic news, Link! Truly fantastic! Oh, thank you for letting me know, Link!" Link nodded again.
"You must tell the others! Spread the word, put their worst fears to rest!" Hanch wiped at his eyes with a wide, relieved smile on his face as Link climbed back down the vines to talk to Sera.
Sera was still worriedly slumped on the counter. When she saw Link, she looked up at him, a hopeful expression on her face. Her cat was peacefully sleeping, curled up on the counter next to where Sera sat.
"Oh, Link! Have you found the children?" Link nodded, telling her the same thing he told Hanch. Like her husband, Sera's eyes widened in relief and joy at the news.
"Oh, thank goodness they're all still alive! I was worried sick!" She let out a sigh, wiping at the relieved tears that had come to her eyes. "Finally, I can get back to work in peace. Of course, I want them to come home as soon as possible, but for now it's probably safer for the folks in Kakariko to look after them. As long as they give their word that our children are going to be safe." Link nodded.
"The village shaman gave his word that they'll keep the children safe." Sera nodded, wiping again at her eyes.
"Please, go and tell the others!" As Link left, Sera began humming to herself as she watched her sleeping cat. Across the river, still standing at the table outside of his house, was Jaggle. He was standing over some wooden tools, intently focusing on them. Link tapped his shoulder, wincing as Jaggle jumped slightly and spun around just a little bit too quickly, fear in his eyes. He relaxed when he saw it was just Link.
"Yo, Link, what's the latest? Have you gotten any clues about where our tykes might be?" Link nodded, again running through the details he'd told Hanch and Sera.
"They're in Kakariko?! Boy, that's a fine fix! We're gonna have to tell the mayor about that right away!" Link nodded, but instead walked into the house to tell Pergie the news.
Pergie, like everyone else in the village, was overjoyed to hear that the children were safe. She apologized to Link for any of the trouble Talo and Malo had given him, to which he just shrugged and said that they were kids, and what else did kids do if not get into trouble. Pergie gave a rare smile, albeit tired, and thanked Link for letting her know that the children were safe. Before leaving, Link gently petted the dog that was curled up next to Pergie. While the dog didn't get up from the bench, his tail wagged, making Link smile.
It wasn't long before Link found himself in Rusl and Uli's home. Uli sat worriedly on the couch where the sword had been, but Rusl was nowhere to be seen. Link frowned. 'Wasn't Rusl injured...?' Uli, at the sound of the door, looked up at Link and smiled, though it didn't reach the corners of her eyes.
"Link, it is good to see you again. Though, I am sorry to say that you only just missed Rusl, he left not long ago." Link's concern clearly made itself known. "He waited until his wounds were healed, I at least asked that of him." It was Link's turn to sigh in relief. Then he smiled at Uli, and told her the news of the children's safety.
"Oh, how wonderful! I am so glad I kept the faith... My thanks to you, Link. From the bottom of my heart. I hope Rusl will stop by Kakariko Village... I do not know his whereabouts, so the news may not reach him..."
"If I see him, I'll be sure to tell him." Uli frowned, just slightly, at that.
"You are not staying in Ordon Village, are you..." Link shook his head.
"No, there's... there's something I have to do." Uli's expression became distant, and she was silent for several moments. Link was just about to turn and leave when she finally spoke.
"You know... your mother always said you would have something important to do someday. Perhaps that day has come." Link's eyes widened.
"She... she did?" Uli nodded. Link didn't know how to feel, what to think, what to say. The two of them were silent for a long and yet short time. Then Uli smiled at Link.
"Anyway, thank you so much for letting me know that Colin is okay. I understand that the children aren't able to come home just yet. Please, thank the Kakariko Village shaman for keeping them safe." Link nodded, and left to speak with Bo.
Just then, a realization struck him. 'Ilia... wasn't with the kids.' A multitude of emotions ran through his mind, worry and regret chief among them. 'Why didn't I notice when I was there as a wolf, or when the kids came out to greet me?!' For just a moment, he stopped in his tracks. 'Hylia's sakes, I'm such a bad friend.' A deep frown formed on his face, one he was grateful none of the villagers saw.
Then he shook his head. 'No. That's no way to think. That won't help me find her.' He looked into the sky that was still full of the daytime sun. 'Focus on the positive. You found Colin, Talo, Malo, and Beth. You saved Faron and Eldin from eternal twilight.' With that, he continued towards Bo's house. As soon as Link neared him, the mayor called over to him.
"Link?!" Link walked over, and a wide smile grew on Bo's face .
"Whoa, it IS you, Link! You're safe and sound!" Bo hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Your clothes... What happened to you, lad?" Link gave an awkward smile.
"It's... a long story." Bo's eyes widened for a moment, before he nodded slowly and invited Link into his house to talk.
The house was almost exactly as he remembered it. The large desk across from the kitchen, the bookshelf behind the desk, and the simple rugs on the floor. What was different, however, was that the back room's door was wide open. Link couldn't quite tell what the back room was, and he knew that Bo didn't bring him in to reminisce or explore the house.
"If you wait just a moment, I could make us some tea." Link nodded.
"Thank you, sir."
While Bo worked on the tea, Link found himself walking over to the bookshelf and glancing over the books. Financial records of the village, different policy books, all kinds of books and documents. Things that Bo had spent many a nighttime hour studying and adding notes to. And, on a higher shelf, a picture of Link and Ilia as children.
"It's good to see you talking again, Link." He was so lost in looking over the books that he almost jumped when Bo spoke. When he turned around, Bo was still standing by the counter and working on the tea.
"I've... found that not everyone out there understands gestures as well as the people here do." While that was part of the reason, Link knew the full reason would sound too bizarre and far-fetched for Bo to believe. 'Maybe someday I'll tell everyone about everything that's happened since the kids were kidnapped... but not today.'
"Well, whatever the reason, I am glad to hear your voice again." Bo fell silent again for some time, leaving Link to his thoughts once more.
Finally, the tea was done. Evidently, Bo hadn't forgotten how Link liked his tea. The sweetness of the apples grown in Ordon, the bitterness and tanginess of the walnuts, the creamy sweetness of the goat milk. It all came together into a tea Link eagerly sipped at.
"Now, then... What all has happened over the last few days?" Link blinked in surprise. 'Has... it really been that long?' After a moment, he told Bo most of what had happened, leaving out the parts of the story that he knew Bo would find difficult to believe - monsters bursting into the spring and kidnapping the children, the light spirits helping him, trying to find any clues in the forest temple, and eventually finding the children to the west.
"I see... So the young'uns are in Kakariko Village! Well, that's good... Renado is an old friend. If they're in his care, then we can relax." Bo looked at Link, then, with a frantic look in his eyes. "So... Don't keep me waitin', lad! Tell me of my little girl! Ilia is with the rest of 'em, right?" Link winced and looked to the floor.
"I... I didn't see her there, no..."
"... Oh. I see... That ain't what I wanted to hear..." Link looked up in time to see the worry cross over Bo's face. After a moment, he put a hand to his chin with the faintest of guilty expressions. "Ah... But Link... I guess I need to think of all five of those poor kids, not just my own... They're all in danger. What I should be askin' is how I can help out..."
"Renado said you would be able to help me win the Gorons' trust so I can get up to the mountain." Bo blinked in surprise.
"The Gorons of Death Mountain?"
"There's... something I believe I need to do at the mountain, but they aren't letting anyone in."
"I see... So Renado told you that... Well, it's true. I did defeat the Gorons in a contest of strength, and I earned their trust." He gave the slightest of smirks. "With the help of a little secret, that is. I CAN teach you the secret... but can you promise that you absolutely, positively will NOT disclose it to anyone?" Link nodded, admittedly curious to see what Bo's secret was.
"Good. All righty then. Remember, absolutely no one!" Bo walked towards the back room. "Come this way." Link followed him through the narrow doorway and into the room.
Inside the hidden room was a stone platform with stairs leading onto it. A wooden deck lined the back wall, as well as some wooden boards with papers stuck to them. 'What... is this place?' It almost reminded him of the cellar in Kakariko. Gone was the wooden walls and floors, gone was the homely furniture. Now the floor and walls were dirt, and only torches lit the room.
"Link, you've heard of sumo wrestlin', right?" Link shook his head. "Gorons like to match strength in sumo contests." Bo put a thoughtful hand to his chin. "It's kind of similar to how you stop chagrin' goats, honestly. I'll teach you the basics." Bo gestured to the stone platform.
"If you're gettin' in a sumo match, chances are you're in an arena like this. The first fella to push his foe outside the arena wins. You can sidestep to avoid your opponent, you can slap them, and you can grab them to push them forward. Three techniques, all of 'em pretty basic. Master all three and you'll be shovin' folks out of the arena in no time, lad!" Link's confusion must have been evident.
"Rather than explain a lot, why don't we just get to it?" Again Bo gestured to the stone platform. "Come into the ring, lad." Bo stepped up onto the platform, removing his shirt. Link could only stare in confusion and awkwardness. After a moment, he stepped onto the platform as well.
"The tunic and chainmail, that sword and shield, they won't do you any good in sumo wrestling. The tunic and chainmail just give your opponent something to grab onto so they can throw you, and the sword and shield just wouldn't be fair in a contest of strength." Link, frowning, gently set the sword and shield on the ground near the stairs. Then he slid the tunic, the chainmail, and the undershirt off, neatly folding them on top of the shield. Before he could step onto the stairs, Bo called over again.
"The gloves, the hat, and the boots too, lad." Link sighed as he gently set the hat on top of his tunic and then set his gloves and everything else from his arms on top of the hat.
"There you are. I know it's awkward, but believe me, you don't want a Goron grabbing you by the tunic and throwing you out of the ring. Now then... Just follow my lead." Bo, putting his hands on his knees, squatted down on the platform. Then he raised his leg and harshly brought it down onto the platform, hunching down almost on all fours. Link slowly and uncomfortably followed suit.
"You always start behind this line, so everything is fair. Usually someone else would be watching the match to make sure no rules are broken, and they would give a signal for the match to start. It sounds like this." Bo then said... something that Link couldn't quite understand. Suddenly Bo lunged forward and grabbed him, pushing him backwards towards the stairs. Link, surprised, took a moment to push back against Bo, only just barely managing to push him off before his feet reached the edge of the platform. He tried to return the lunge, but Bo dodged to the side and countered with his own lunging grab. This time Link was prepared and pushed him off quicker. For a couple moments the two stared at each other, sidling in circles around the arena. Then Bo suddenly whipped his hand out to slap Link, who only just barely dodged under the hand. Link took the opportunity to lunge at Bo and begin pushing him towards the edge of the platform, but Bo pushed him off before he reached the edge. Bo lunged at him, but this time Link sidestepped and grabbed Bo from the side and pushed him back. Bo pushed him off, but hesitated for a brief moment, which Link used to lunge and push him back a final time, Bo falling on his back on the dirt floor.
When Bo stood up, he first brushed the loose dirt off of himself. Then he nodded in approval towards Link.
"You seem to understand the basics. All righty, next time I won't go easy on you, lad. Fight me as if you were fightin' one of the Gorons!" Link blinked. 'That was Bo going easy on me?' Bo gestured to him, and he walked back to the line while Bo stepped back up onto the platform and stood next to his line. Once more, they were facing each other in the arena. Bo gave the signal, and this time Link was prepared. He reached out and slapped the mayor in the stomach, stunning Bo for enough time that Link could lunge forward and push him back. He almost pushed Bo to the edge of the platform, but Bo pushed him off and tried to lunge at Link. Link sidestepped and lunged at Bo, this time easily pushing him out of the arena. Bo grinned as he rose to his feet.
"Whoa ho! Not too shabby, lad! With your natural talent, I'm sure you can take on the Gorons. You've got a sight stronger in the short time you've been gone, Link." Link, tired though he was, smiled at the praise. "Strong as you are, though, you can't hope to beat the Gorons wrestlin' with power alone. Those Gorons are made of rock!" Bo put his shirt back on, and nodded to Link to put his tunic back on. Link felt a strong sense of relief at being able to have the tunic on him again, the sword and shield on his back. Bo then beckoned Link to follow him back up to the main room of his house. There, in the kitchen, was a large chest. Link blinked. 'That... wasn't there before.'
"Naw, the secret to beatin' the Gorons... is locked away in that chest. Take it with you, lad." Link confusedly walked over to the chest. It was a lot like the ones he'd seen in the forest temple, perhaps even the same color. Inside, however, was a pair of boots that were entirely made out of metal. He grunted as he lifted even one. 'Hylia's sakes, this thing is heavy!'
"You can probably tell, those boots are made of iron, lad. Whoever wears 'em won't easily be pushed around... even by a Goron. If you're fixin' to fight a Goron, be sure to wear those boots." Bo paused, awkwardly scratching at the back of his head. "... Let's be square, though, lad: you can't ever tell ANYONE about those boots! 'Specially Renado!" Link huffed and raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk. 'What, did you tell him you beat a Goron fair and square?' Bo, seeing Link's expression, huffed.
"He's an old friend, it wouldn't do for him to know that I... used something to make up for the drastic weight difference between me and a Goron." Link didn't stop smirking.
"Fine, I won't tell him." He tried again to lift the boot out of the chest, grunting in pain. 'How am I supposed to even carry these things up to the mountain, much less wear them?'
Just then, a small hand rose up from Link's shadow and snapped its fingers. The boots disappeared into a cluster of green particles that fell into Link's shadow, and the hand retreated with the particles.
"Eh? What did you do to my boots, lad?" Link's heart sank to his stomach. 'How am I going to explain that?' He opened his mouth to try and stammer out a response, only for words to fail him. An exasperated sigh saw Midna appear and float next to him in her shadowy form. Bo blinked in surprise and stared at her.
"I'm helping Mr. Important Hero. Since he can barely lift those boots, I'm gonna hold onto them for him."
"O-oh, I see. Well, thank you then, miss...?"
"Call me Midna." With that, she disappeared back into Link's shadow. Link could only blink as he looked from Bo to where Midna had just been. Bo was equally surprised, though not for the same reasons as Link.
"It seems we both have our secrets to keep, eh lad?" Link nodded, standing up from opening the chest. 'You don't even know the half of it, Bo.' Once again resolving to tell everyone the full story once it was all over, Link thanked Bo and left the house, turning to walk up towards Fado's ranch before he left the village once more.
He blinked as he noticed the grains growing in the adjacent field now taking on an ever-so-slightly golden hue. 'Is it already getting close to the festival?' The trees still had their vibrant greens, and the warmth from the sun still beamed down. A breeze floated through, however, and on it Link could faintly feel the beginnings of autumn. He couldn't help but grin. The harvest festival was coming soon.
Like always, Fado was standing in the back of the field keeping as watchful of an eye as he could muster over the goats. Not that he particularly needed to, the goats simply walked lazy paths around the pasture gnawing on the grass.
"Link!" Fado waved him over. "Didja find them tots?!" Link nodded, and a grin spread across Fado's face as Link told him what he'd told the parents of the village.
"No foolin? The tots are safe? An' on top of that, they're all in Kakariko Village?" Link nodded again.
"They're safe, and the shaman said he's going to protect them until they can safely come home."
"You're incredible, bud! I can already see everybody's smilin' faces!" Link smiled at the blunt praise, though it was marred by the memory of Bo's disheartened frown at the news that Ilia was nowhere to be found.
"Wanna round them goats up for the first time in a dog's age? I bet those scamps are sure happy to see you!" Link blinked. 'Surely it hasn't been that long since the kids were kidnapped... Even Bo said it had only been a few days.' He nodded, plucking a reed from the ground and calling for Epona. She came cantering up the hill a moment later, nimbly dodging the goats until she stood next to Link. He smiled and affectionately patted Epona's face, then jumped into the saddle. Fado ran to lock the gate, and then shouted over to Link once it was securely closed. In the end, only three of the goats proved to be uncooperative, two of which soon ambled into the stable. Fado grinned up at Link once all the goats were standing in their pens.
"Thanks to you, I wrapped things up a mite earlier today!" Link raised an eyebrow at him. 'Now, Fado, do you remember how many Rupees you owe me?'
"As a reward... I did find this strange crystal sitting in the stable the other day. Maybe it can be of use to you?" Link blinked at him. 'Strange... crystal?' Fado reached into his pocket and pulled out a startlingly familiar gem in the shape of a heart. As soon as Link touched it, it vanished like the other heart-shaped gems or the Heart Container had. Fado's eyes widened.
"Huh... What'd ya do to it?" Link shrugged.
"I'm... not entirely sure. I touch those, and they disappear like that." Fado scratched his head for a moment, then shrugged.
"Anyways, good luck out there bud!" Link nodded, riding Epona down the hill and out of the village once more. In no time, he found himself in the wide fields of Hyrule once more, Epona galloping as she carried him to the west, back to Kakariko Village. The bright daylight sun, the clear blue sky, the air filling his chest, he basked in it with a wide grin. There was only one light spirit left to save, and then he could bring the kids back to Ordon where they'd be safe. As Epona carried him closer to the entrance, he grinned as Epona effortlessly cleared the gate.
