Purah, Gaddison, Rivan, Pyle, Bargoh, Bolson, Karson, and Hudson stood in front of the repaired house that was wrecked days ago.

Bolson smiled. "That is some good work right there."

"Plus we finished it faster than we thought we would," Karson stated.

Pyle scowled. "Only because we did all the heavy lifting."

"Why are you complaining?" asked Purah. "You are meant for heavy lifting."

"Just want proper credit," said Bargoh.

"And that is fair," Bolson stated. "Great job you two."

Bargoh crossed his arms. "You are welcome."

"Someone is cranky," Purah stated. "Maybe you need a nap."

"I do not need a nap!" shouted Bargoh.

"Easy there," said Purah. "Just poking fun."

Pyle and Bargoh did not reply.

Gaddison turned towards Purah. "So what do we do now?"

"Continue to wait," Purah replied.

"Oh joy," Rivan said sarcastically. "Because that has worked wonders so far."

"I get that you are impatient and bored," said Purah, "but going out after them is a bad idea."

Rivan growled. "I know I know. I heard that a thousand times."

"We keep saying it because of your complaining," argued Purah.

Rivan did not respond.

"Hey!" shouted Teba's voice.

The group turned around to see Teba and Harth standing next to a Gerudo traveler.

Purah ran over to the new arrivals. "Hey there. How is the search going?"

"Not great I'm afraid," Teba replied.

"However, on our way back here we spotted her," Harth explained. "She was heading toward here so we stopped and asked her about it."

The Gerudo stepped forward. "Greetings. I'm Rhomson."

"Pleasure to meet you Rhomson," said Purah. "What brings you out this way?"

"I'm looking for Princess Mipha," Rhomson replied. "I have a message for her from Chief Riju."

Purah blinked. A message? "Well I'm afraid she isn't here at the moment, but should be returning to us any day now. What is the message?"

"I'm sorry but my orders are to only tell Princess Mipha," Rhomson replied.

Purah shrugged. "Well you got to do what you got to do."

The new arrivals joined the others by the house and introduced themselves.

"By the way," Pyle spoke, "how are things in the Gerudo lands?"

"The Yiga were very active a few days ago," Rhomson replied. "However, they quieted down almost as fast. We aren't sure what they are up to at present."

"Damn Kohga and his sneaky tricks," Purah stated.

"It is hard to tell what he is planning," said Rhomson.

"Besides killing Princess Mipha and Link?" asked Rivan.

Rhomson nodded. "Yes."

"He almost succeeded in that regard a few days ago," Bolson stated.

Rhomson gasped. "What?!"

Purah explained what had happened.

"You guys didn't have an easy time," said Teba. "Perhaps I should have stayed here as well."

"You couldn't have known," Purah stated, "and you are trying to get Mipha to trust you again...something two rock heads will have to work harder to do."

Pyle and Bargoh shifted their weight.

"What did they do?" asked Rhomson.

"Something stupid and lets leave it at that," Bargoh replied.

Rivan scowled. "They attacked Link."

Rhomson glared. "What?!"

"Hey!" shouted Pyle. "You didn't need to tell her that!"

"Admit when you make a mistake or else you are doomed to repeat it!" barked Rivan. "That is something I learned the hard way!"

Gaddison smiled. He has grown so much in such a short time...but that temper of his still needs some work.

Rivan, Pyle, and Bargoh continued to argue. No one noticed blue lights floating toward the village, and landing by the shrine. Link, Mipha, and Midna heard their shouts.

Link trembled. "Not the best thing to hear when coming back."

"I agree," Mipha stated. "Let's see what's going on."

The three approached the bridge. Link saw Pyle and Bargoh and hid behind Mipha. Midna snorted.

Link peeked around Mipha. "Those two are here? Why?"

"I do not know," Mipha replied. "We will find out. Come on."

Link hesitated. He took a long, deep breath. He stood next to Mipha, but was still a little shaky. Mipha smiled. They crossed the bridge.

Purah noticed them first. "THEY'RE BACK!" She leaped towards Mipha and hugged her. The large group turned and gathered around them.

"I'm so glad both of you are okay," Gaddison stated happily.

"Took you guys long enough," said Rivan.

Teba nodded. "Welcome back."

"Good to see you are both in good spirits," Harth spoke.

Bolson, Hudson, and Karson smiled. While Pyle and Bargoh remained silent. Rhomson smirked.

Purah looked up at Mipha. "I was so worried about you both."

"Sorry didn't mean to worry you," Mipha replied.

Purah jumped off and turned towards Link. "And you? How are you doing Link?"

"I'm...a little nervous about...those two," Link said as he pointed toward Pyle and Bargoh.

The group glared at the two Gorons. They took some steps away from Link.

"Besides that, how are you?" Purah asked.

Link rubbed the back of his head. "Well...still scared about everything...if I am being honest." The group waited. "...but I don't want to run away any more."

Purah smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Thanks," Link said with a smile of his own.

Purah jumped up and smacked the top of his head.

"Ow!" Link screamed.

"Don't ever freeze up like that again!" Purah shouted. "I don't care how scared you were, you can't give your enemies an opening like that!"

Link nodded. "Understood."

Purah then hugged his leg. "I'm glad you are safe." Link's mouth gaped open. "I was so worried about you."

Link hung his head. "I'm sorry to worry you."

Purah released her hug. "Just do better from now on."

Link nodded. "I will."

"He is doing much better," Mipha replied.

"Thanks to you Mipha," said Link. He gently held her hand. Mipha blushed.

"Ooooooo," Bolson said with glee. "Looks like you two really connected while you were away."

Gaddison smiled. Awwwww.

Rivan turned away. "Well good for you two...I guess."

Teba, Harth, Hudson, Karson, and Rhomson smiled. While Pyle and Bargoh held neutral expressions.

Mipha forced herself to stop blushing. "Now then, the details of what happened are not important. Why are you two here?" Her cold gaze directed at the Gorons. Link thought to let her hand go, but she firmly held onto his hand. Link smiled.

"Princess you have every right to be mad," Pyle stated.

"I'm beyond mad," Mipha replied. "I'm not sure if there is a word to properly describe on how I feel about you two."

"Our elder was just as disappointed with us as all of you were," Bargoh spoke.

"Are," Purah interjected. "No past tense here for you two."

Pyle nodded. "Fair enough. So he ordered us to guard the hero."

"No thank you," said Link.

"We can't go against our elder's orders," Bargoh stated. "We understand that you are against this, but we would like to work with everyone to figure this out."

"You can start by calling him by his name," said Mipha.

"Of course," Pyle replied. "...Link, we will give you space."

Link remained tense. Still don't trust them.

"I believe we have a new arrival," Mipha stated. "Who is the Geurdo?"

"Oh yeah," Purah said. "Mipha, this is Rhomson."

Rhomson bowed. "A pleasure to meet you Princess Mipha."

"Thank you but please just call me Mipha," said Mipha.

"No no no. That would be rude."

"Well I can't force you. So, what brings you out here Rhomson?"

"I have a message for you from Chief Riju."

"Oh? What is it?"

Rhomson looked around. "I'm afraid that I can only tell you."

"You two can use my lab while we show Link his rebuilt house," Purah suggested.

Link's grip on Mipha's hand tightened slightly.

Mipha smiled. "I know you are worried, but this sounds important."

"I've got your back Link," Purah said with a pose. "If the two rock heads try something, I'll shatter them."

"We aren't going to try anything," Pyle protested.

"Past experience say other wise," Rivan stated.

Link hesitantly released Mipha's hand.

"I'm assuming you both know the way to my lab?" asked Purah.

Mipha nodded.

"I'll just follow her," Rhomson stated.

Mipha and Rhomson left. Purah dragged Link into his rebuilt home.

Link looked around. "It doesn't look any different."

Purah smiled. "That is because it isn't any different." Link blinked.

Meanwhile, Rhomson and Mipha walked up to Purah's lab. Symin greeted them before leaving to fetch some supplies. Both sat down at the table.

"So what is the message?" Mipha asked.

"One of our merchants was out traveling," Rhomson began, "and she happen to overhear the Goron elder talking to those two. They are under orders to watch Link. However, they also have orders to take him to Death Mountain when they get the chance."

Mipha sighed. "I see that the elder still has his own agenda, while trying to rush the process."

"Yeah. Chief Riju was not happy to hear that."

"I believe that. The problem is that we will have to venture into Death Mountain a little to not only complete the Slate map, but there is a memory there for him."

Rhomson blinked. "Memory? How can you be certain?"

"While we were away," Mipha explained, "I looked through the album of the Slate. I know where every single one of those locations are. The memory is on the outskirts of the mountain, outside of the heat range. The tower for the map however is another story."

"So your plan is to complete the map while going around gathering his memories?"

"Yes. Along the way, train him to get his fighting skills back. We will visit any shrines that we come across as well."

"Solid plan. The problem I see is that you are going to have a large group: Link and his wolf, yourself plus your two guards, then there is the two Rito, and finally the Gorons. That is a lot of people to travel with."

Mipha rubbed her chin. "...Teba or Harth would most likely head back to their village. That brings the number down to eight. We would most likely have to split into two groups."

There was a knock on the door. "It's Purah. You done with the message?"

"Yes," Rhomson answered.

Purah entered followed by Link, Midna, Rivan, Gaddison, Teba, Harth, Pyle, Bargoh, Symin, Bolson, Hudson, and finally Karson. Link sat next to Mipha at the table. Mipha smiled.

"Really cramped in here," said Pyle.

Purah jumped on the table. "Are you saying my lab is small?"

"No," Bolson stated. "Just that there is a lot of people in here."

"Well that is fair," said Purah. "Well now that you guys are done with the message, we should discuss our next move."

Mipha nodded. "The first thing we need to do is complete the Slate map, and while we do that visit the spots to help with Link's memory."

Link shifted his weight.

"Okay but where do we start?" asked Rivan.

"Purah, do you have a map we can look at?" Mipha asked.

Purah nodded. She jumped toward the book self, grabbed a piece of paper, then jumped back to the table. She spread out the map.

Mipha pointed to the central plain. "First we head back toward Central Hyrule. From there we go south, then west to Gerudo territory. Activating towers, finding memories, and completing shrines along the way."

"Why head to the Geurdo lands first?" asked Pyle.

"It does have to do with the message that Rhomson brought to me," Mipha replied. "Plus, I would like to fill her in on what has happened. From there, we can finish the bottom of the map, and then discuss our next move after."

"A solid plan," Teba stated. "However, we have a large party. Traveling as one large group is a bad idea."

"I agree Teba," said Mipha. "Which is why we will travel in two groups. I don't know who will be coming with us though besides my two guards and the two Gorons."

"Well I need to head back to Rito Village," Harth stated. "Teba can travel with you guys."

Teba turned toward him. "Are you sure? Princess Mipha trusts you more than me."

"All the more reason to have you go to regain her trust," Harth replied.

Mipha nodded. "Harth is correct."

"...alright," said Teba.

"Alright so that is eight," Purah stated.

Pyle blinked. "Eight?"

"Midna counts," Purah replied. Midna barked. "See."

"Add Hudson to the team," Bolson stated.

Hudson blinked. "What?"

"Safety in numbers," Bolson replied. "Plus your skills with a great hammer will come in handy."

"But what about Terry Town?" asked Hudson.

"Terry Town?" asked Mipha.

"A town we are building," Bolson replied. "Karson and I will take care of that."

"Boss...are you sure?" asked Hudson.

"Yup," Bolson replied.

"Then with me that makes ten," Rhomson stated. "Well at least until we get to the Gerudo lands."

"Then we will split the travel party into two groups of five," said Mipha. "Pyle, Bargoh, Teba, Hudson, and Rhomson will be the vanguard. While Link, Midna, Gaddison, Rivan, and I will follow behind you guys."

"Of course you would be paired with the hero," Pyle said with a scowl.

"Oh I'm sorry did you want to be near Link?" asked Rivan. "To you know watch him, then wait till he is asleep, and then carry him to Death Mountain?"

"We aren't going to do that," Bargoh insisted.

"Sure you aren't," Rivan said with a roll of his eyes.

"The reason I set the parties up like that is for Link's benefit," Mipha replied. "He is most comfortable around me, and lets not forget you two attacked him."

"I know I haven't forgotten that," said Link. Midna growled. "Neither has she."

Pyle and Bargoh remained silent.

"I have no objections with the set up," Teba stated.

"Same," said Rhomson. Hudson nodded.

Mipha smiled. "We leave first thing tomorrow."

"Why not now?" asked Bargoh.

"It is almost evening," Mipha explained. "It would be best to rest up for the night and then leave tomorrow. Plus, I would like to train Link a little bit today before bed."

"What...kind of training?" Link asked hesitantly.

"Just some cardio to build up your stamina," Mipha replied. "Run down to the center of town then back up here."

Link blinked. "That will help?"

"Don't question your trainer," said Purah. "Now get to running."

Link stood up quickly. "Y-Yes."

Mipha smiled. "Good."

Link left. Midna followed.