What? Long is good - no really...this is actually longer. Well moving on we see that big fish really do carry a lot of wind, so onward and forward toward the vague yet inevitable ending of this little drama... Best we catch up with Link and Tetra...

(Ummm I suppose you want me to claim or disclaim as the case may be; therefore, I plead the Fifth)

Nagori, Saimon, and Senkyoku
By Achitka

Chapter 7:
The Trouble with Fairies

Link sat and thought about the story, while it had explained some things, it also raised more questions. He looked down at Saimon and realized the little fairy was exhausted; all that translating must have been very wearing on him. He was probably still weak from his time caught in that resonance. So, Link decided to ask only a few questions and hope Jabun would answer with as few embellishments as possible. He'd just have to figure the rest out on his own.

Once the King of the Red Lions came back, Link intended to go to see the Deku Tree; he may be able to shed some more light on the forest daemon issue. It was most likely Fado, though Link knew the Kokiri Forest sage probably didn't put up much of a fight. It would also helped explain why the Deku Tree's children no longer took on that child like form. What it did not explain was the disappearance of the guiding fairies so prevalent at that time. Makar, the Great Sea's Wind Sage would be there for the New Years Ceremony and who knows what kind of information he could get from him.

He thought back to the dream he'd had a few days before. Al had said it was not a dream but a memory, the older children might have been Al and his sister, but who was the man on the cliff face? He tried to remember the faces of the adults he had seen, but they had been so far away the details were sketchy.

He couldn't remember if Medli, the Sage of Earth was back on Dragonroost or not, though talking to Valoo might be helpful. Still more than anything else, he wanted to talk to Saimon directly. There were so many questions he wanted to ask. Link paused as he remembered something, I am such an idiot.

"Jabun?"

"Yes Wind Waker?"

"Do you know what the young man wished for?"

"No, I only know that he did, though undoubtedly the Fairy Queen does."

"Of course," Link said as he pushed the sand around with a stick he'd found lying nearby, "Can you tell me why Al came here, I'm having a hard time believing it was just to help me find Tetra."

"I believe," the water deity said after a short silence, "he intends to try to free his sister from the Shadow's influence once and for all."

"Do you know how Delia fell back into shadow?"

"No, though Senkyoku should have prevented this."

Saimon turned to Jabun and spoke. The great fish actually wore a look of astonishment and said in a quiet tone, "Indeed, this is a disturbing piece of news."

"What is?"

"Senkyoku is being held captive, she is trapped in a crystal pendant Kei wears around her neck."

"That is disturbing." Link imagined that's what would have eventually happened to Saimon if he'd not interfered. "And if he can't help his sister?"

The great fish spoke but Link did not understand the answer. Saimon did not translate it. Link looked down at the fairy that sat unmoving next to the stone, staring out over the water.

"Saimon, I know you can understand me. Please, I need to know the answer."

The fairy looked up at Link, his wings twitched and he frowned. After a moment the fairy said in his own voice, "He will kill her."

Tetra watched fascinated as Link silently struggled with his pack and somehow managed to pull out the boomerang and set himself up for a throw. The door opened, the weapon flew, was plucked out of the air, and Tetra got her first look at who she could only assume was Dalkin. Old guy, average height and build, but what she found most interesting was the point of light that flew intermittently around him, sometimes right in his face, other times shooting up into his odd shaped hat. But whatever it did, the old man seemed to ignore the light, like he was so used to it being there, it was as if it were a finger or something.

Link meanwhile burned his re-lighting the lamp while he and the old man talked for a minute or two, and once Dalkin had finished looking at Links weaponry he pulled out the Wind Waker. While it may have looked as though he was waving it randomly, and backward Tetra could hear the echo of the points he sketched out 6/4 time, up, down, left, left, right, down. She ticked it off in here head again, Why did that sound so familiar?

She looked back over at Link; he had the pirate charm in his left hand. He'd told her about his little trick. Of course, the circumstances around that revelation ended in a rather loud argument. Still, she was surprised to see one of his eyebrows go up after hearing an answer from Dalkin. Tetra watched as the old man talked to the fairy she knew Link could neither see nor hear. She also knew Link could have a short temper if he thought you were leading him around. She recognized that intense look he reserved for possible enemies, something that old man said has put his guard all the way up, she thought.

Link seemed to come to a calculated decision and sat next to her on the bed. Though Tetra knew he couldn't see or hear her, she made sure her hand went nowhere near him. His proximity unnerved her. A piece of a broken melody flitted through her head and she wrestled briefly with an urge to smack him. Where the hell did that come from...When the broken melody returned, she felt her anger well up again and she squelched it. Whatever that melody was, she was determined not to let it get the better of her again.

Tetra leaned back against the wall and watched Link as he answered Dalkin's questions. She'd never met anyone who could put so much random information together so quickly. It always amazed her how well he did it. Link could talk a hoi pear out of its tree and the pear would thank him for it. She always admired that quality in him. Link, you may tell people you hate to guess, but the truth is, you live for it.

From that point on, Link and the old man got along great, until the fairy light smacked into Dalkin's head so hard it made the old man's head tip back. Tetra smiled, Well Saimon has your attention now, she thought. The old man turned his direct attention back to the fairy; she could have sworn she saw the barest glimmer of a shadow surround the old man for a moment and whatever he just said caused that fairy to pop back into his hat. He may look harmless, but that old man is dangerous. Then Dalkin was rubbing his head and speaking to Link, who started telling him some drawn out story, Dalkin had his eyes closed focusing on his words.

When the two picked up their things and left her cabin, she followed them out to the main deck. As she past the main, she glanced up at it; all was back as it should be. She laughed to herself, knowing Link; he'd probably spent three days just on that. She heard someone come up behind her, but did not turn.

"Glad to see your up again," Gonzo said as he touched her lightly on the shoulder.

"Thanks, it's good to be awake," she said as she watched the pair of silent figures board the King of the Red Lions. "So where do you think they're off to."

"I'm guessing Great Fish."

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," Tetra said as she sat up on the rail. "I wonder why he waited so long to go?" she watched as the little boat made its way out of the cave and looked on until it disappeared from view. Sighing she turned back to Gonzo, "So, how long was I out this time?"

He shrugged, "Only an hour or so."

"When did fairy boy get here?"

"Not to long after you collapsed."

"Collapsed?"

"You dropped off that ladder like stone."

"Well you don't need to worry about that happening again, I'm done with running."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"So what's been happening in the mean time?"

"Just watching the show," he said. When Tetra raised an eyebrow Gonzo continued, "When Link first got here he had Zill with him, but both were moving so fast it was impossible to keep an eye on them," he said and scratched his head. "Then they both just disappeared. Then Aryll was here, but only for a moment it seemed."

"Aryll was here?"

"Yeah, but she was moving slower than Link and Zill."

"Really."

"Anyway, Link came back and he was moving fast, but not so fast that we couldn't keep track of where he was. Then he went into your cabin, but I figured if anything were wrong you had Nagori with you." Gonzo paused and looked around for a moment. "Where is she anyway?"

"She was in my pocket a little bit ago," Tetra felt her pocket but the fairy wasn't there. "That's weird," she said as she checked her other pockets. "Well maybe she's back in my cabin." However, after two steps in that direction Tetra remember the Fairy Queens last words to her.

"She will find her own purpose eventually but for now she will help you if she can,
and will not leave you as long as you have need of her."

Tetra knew she wouldn't find the fairy in her cabin, with her connection to the Triforce of Wisdom restored, Nagori was free to find her purpose and Tetra was left to fend for herself.

Jabun left Great Fish Island in search of a meal. He'd been stuck under the lake for almost three weeks and was quite famished. Link meanwhile inspected Saimon's wing; it looked all but mended and Saimon intermittently tested their flight worthiness. Tetra said she was on Outset now. How she had managed to get there and get her ship into that cave was a mystery, but he never put anything beyond her. If there was a way to do it, that woman would surely find it.

"Well, Saimon, do we go to see the Deku Tree or the Fairy Queen first?"

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I could understand you?"

"Oh that." Link shifted himself up out of the sand. "I remembered something Tetra said."

"The Princess?"

"Yes the Princess," Link said with a smile. Saimon was clearly not understanding so Link continued, "When I asked her to ask you a question, you told her you could hear me just fine, of course I didn't get an answer... "

"You are well suited to your title, Wind Waker." Saimon said laughing.

"Just call me Link okay?"

"Yes, you are much like the other."

"The other?"

"The other Link," Saimon said as he dragged the gossip stone behind him, "Dalkin's father's name was Link."

"Is that so? Well that is an interesting piece of trivia." Link said as he brushed most of the sand off and looked around. "Well once the King of Red Lions comes back we'll be able to get some answers, I hope."

"How do you know the boat will return?"

"I don't." Link said and lowered his hand so the still flightless fairy could climb up. Link pulled the gossip stone over his head and stretched.

"How can you be sure we won't be stuck here?"

"I'm not," Link said picking up his pack. "I just have to trust the goddesses will know what the heck I'm doing and give me a little help now and then. It's getting late and I want to get out of this cave before dark."

Once outside the pair settled down for the night. Link looked up at the moon, it was a little more than quarter full. How long did it take that gate to close? If it went with the cycle of the moon then he had less than ten days left before the new moon. He thought back on Al's map, those red and green circles were coming back again. He pulled out his sea chart and realized why they had looked so familiar, they were the exact locations of the Triforce charts and pieces he had put together seven years before.

"Saimon? How long have you been with Al?"

"A very long time."

"Do you know if he made the trap Tetra's in now?"

"He did not."

"If he didn't, who did?"

"I do not know."

While Link could tell Saimon was not being completely truthful, he was unsure why the fairy was doing it. Was it to protect Al? If so, from what? What happened all those years ago that would make him be concerned now? Surely everyone from that time had long since passed. Something just didn't fit but if... "Saimon, those traps weren't set for the shadow at all. They were set for Al."

Startled the fairy looked at him and thought about his answer. "Dalkin, was not always as you see him now."

"Meaning, he wasn't such a nice guy?"

"Yes. Dalkin has very powerful magic, though he rarely uses it."

"What about Delia?"

"They are twins, equal in strength, but as different as night and day."

"When I was smaller my grandma used to tell us stories about the 'end times' there was a rhyme she used to tell us, I think it went like this;

One for Light, One for Dark
Bright as Day, Dark as Night
Heaven above, Hell below,
Mei and Kei together
Make the perfect shadow.

"But Grandma always said, if one was unwilling then they were out of balance, and the shadow couldn't form. Of course at the time this made no sense at all."

"Yes."

"Do you know why Delia came to this time?"

"Kei wishes to help the shadow complete its task."

"Which was... "

"To return Ganon's spirit to this world."

"How can she do that, he's at the bottom of the ocean... "

"No Wind Waker, when Delia disappeared, we followed Kei's trail to this time and when we arrived here, Dalkin sensed its presence again in this world."

"What's the shadow's task?"

"To kill the bearer of the Triforce of Courage and sprinkle his blood on the stone."

"Well that's not a good thing. Why didn't she just kill me in the cavern?"

"Dalkin wouldn't allow it and the vessel is not yet secured."

"That's why the Great Fairy on Outset warned me to stay out of this area, but why bother luring and keeping Tetra in a trap?"

"She is the vessel for the spirit to inhabit."

Link shuddered , the rest of the rhyme his grandma taught him crept in.

If Wisdom fails and Courage wanes,
into the land will Shadow creep,
Shattering Woods, tainting water,
It readies the unbelievers for the slaughter.
Evil stilled long ago, will return to you.
As you die helpless before the Shadow

Link looked at Saimon who sat dejected on top of his pack, now he had a whole new set of problems on his hands, how to get a message to Tetra and how to find Al before the Shadow's influence became to great to resist. Link thought this over but decided he was still missing a few pieces.

"Al said the trap focused on the persons need for revenge, what was it that happened to him to make him want vengeance."

Again, Saimon paused as if trying to find the right way to say it. What he said next took Link completely by surprise, "He believes they took his memories from him."

But why? Link wondered, then he asked, "Who are 'they'?"

"The Gods of Air, Wind and Water."

Link looked out at the water and caught sight of a shadow dancing on the moonlit waves. The King of Red Lions had returned. Link smiled, silently thanked the goddesses, and pondered where he would have to go next. So many choices, so little time.

Tetra told herself she knew all along the fairy would leave, but it was so sudden. Frowning, she looked back out at the cave mouth and wondered. She felt she was on the verge of figuring out something important when her thoughts were interrupted.

"She's gone, isn't she," Gonzo said.

Still distracted Tetra said, "Yeah."

"I'm gonna miss that fairy."

"Me too." Tetra said as she turned away from the rail and started toward her cabin. Was she really only here for a day? Well she'd better get to work. "Gonzo, is Jasper still on board?"

"Strange that."

"What?"

"I haven't seen hide nor feather of that one since we saw Aryll on board."

"Well doesn't that just complicate my day."

"She always seems to come back around sundown though."

"Good," Tetra said looking back again. "We have some planning to do. Have everyone meet in the galley." Gonzo nodded and turned to leave when she stopped him and said, "Except for Niko. Send him to my cabin I have something special I need him to do."

Gonzo cocked an eyebrow but nodded again and headed below. Tetra looked back at the entrance of the cave. It was a bright and sunny day outside the cavern but it chilled her when she remembered the hatred that oozed off that shadow. Get focused, damn it. She turned back to the door and went to her cabin. There, she sat down at the desk and picked up the wayward box Link had left behind.

What is this thing? she wondered. She turned it around in her hands and ran a finger across the intricate carvings inlayed on each side of it. One side showed the sun at noon over the water, the other the moon near midnight. Both sides included an odd repeated pattern and mixed between were words written in a script she didn't quite recognize. They ran the entire length of the outer boarder and since each held the same level of detail, it was impossible to tell which side was up. Tetra pushed at one of the latches gently with her finger. Not even a little movement, that thing was most definitely stuck. She was more surprised it hadn't popped open on its own for all the times it had fallen off her desk in the past twenty-four hours.

She needed to find an easier way to talk to Link. She certainly couldn't count on random acts of fairy magic. There had to be a way that was quicker, but Jasper seemed her only avenue for the moment. She fiddled around with the latch until she heard Niko's soft knock on her door. Setting it aside, she called him in.

"You wanted to see me, Miss?"

"Yes, I have a job for you." Tetra said as she shifted through the papers on her desk. She picked up one of his lists from the day before and said, "I want you to hang on to this. If anything drops off this list I want you to stop what you're doing and find me right away okay?"

"Drops off? Ummm okay, Miss, but how will I know?"

"Just read though it every half hour or so and make sure all your entries are still there."

"Alright, Miss," Niko said as he carefully refolded the paper and put it in his boot. "Was there anything else?"

"As a matter of fact," Tetra said smiling, "I'm glad you asked."

Gonzo wasted no time gathering the rest of the crew and they now sat either staring at one another or talking quietly among themselves.

"So what's going on?" Senza asked.

"I don't know yet, but I think Miss Tetra may have figured a way out."

"That's good news. Where's Niko?"

"Miss Tetra had a 'special job' for him to do."

"Really, what could that little sea rat do?"

Gonzo thought for a moment, "Wash her socks maybe?" at this both started to laugh. Tetra came into the room then with her arms full of papers. Making her way to the table, she laid everything out. The rest of the crew stopped what they were doing to watch her.

"Okay everyone, listen up." She paused and frowned as she picked through the parchments.

Gonzo crossed his arms and wondered what Miss Tetra was up to. Senza leaned closer to him and whispered, "Then the fairy really is gone?"

"How did you know about that?" Gonzo asked while giving him a sly look. Senza just shrugged. "Yeah, she's gone."

"Are you two done?" Tetra said startling them both, she shook her head as she handed Senza one of the parchments to hold up. "Or is there something you'd like to share with the rest of the crew?"

Both men straightened up and mumbled out, "Sorry, Miss." She rolled her eyes at the pair and turned to the others.

"It's time you all knew what were up against." She held up another page, which she handed to Gonzo. He took it and recognized it as part of the set she kept on the wall of her cabin. "This," she said pointing at the one he held, "is a depiction of our collective Hyrulian history. As you all can see it hasn't always been a pleasant one." She moved over to the parchment Senza held. "Whatever Link and I accomplished seven years ago, and no I don't have time to explain it, appears to be unraveling." She pointed to a nasty looking portrayal of Ganon in his giant monster form. "And this abomination, may soon be let loose on the world, again." Tetra paused until the crew's murmurs quieted.

"Now, as many of you have already figured out Nagori has left us to complete whatever purpose the Fairy Queen had in mind for her. The evil depicted in this parchment is really only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Please listen carefully to the instructions I am about to give you. Link's life as well as your own will depend on it." She turned back to Gonzo and said briskly, "Gonzo, the tide will be going out soon and when you take the ship out of the cave, I want you to sail around the island and give this to Aryll."

He took the letter she handed him. "Do you think she's still on the island?" Gonzo asked.

"If you saw her once it's a good bet she's still here, ask her to have Jake deliver that to Link."

"But we haven't seen Jake at all... "

"Don't worry, I have a funny feeling Jake is never far from wherever Jasper may be." Tetra stepped closer to him and said quietly, "Stay close to her Gonzo, I have a feeling she may be in some kind of danger, I just don't know what." She turned and picked something up off the table. "Senza, take these two bottles, head up to the fairy fountain and collect a couple of health fairies. Hang on to them and keep them safe. You'll know what to do with them when the time comes. Mako, Zuko I want you to keep a special watch over Link's grandmother and make sure nothing happens to her, you understand?" they both nodded. "As for the rest of you, spread out on the island, if you see or hear anything suspicious report it to Gonzo immediately, I don't care how stupid you think it sounds. Does everyone understand what I need them to do?" The men all nodded. "Good."

"But what about Niko?" Gonzo asked.

"Niko, will be with me. Furthermore," Tetra held up her hands and raised her voice over the loud comments that followed. "I want you all to know that I've enjoyed my time as your Captain. Please remember that you are my family and take care of one another."

"You're talking like you aren't coming with us," Senza said sounding concerned.

She smiled at him and continued, "I love you all so effective immediately I am resigning as your Captain. Gonzo," she said looking at him, "you have the helm."

Gonzo's eyes went wide but "Wha-?" was all he got out before she disappeared from view completely.

Tetra didn't stay to watch the commotion caused by her sudden disappearance. Instead, she walked out to main deck where Niko already waited. "You ready?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss."

"Are you sure?" Tetra asked seeing how nervous he looked, "I can still send you back with the others."

"No Miss, I'm staying with you."

Tetra smiled and helped him pick up their gear as both headed for the longboat. "You're a good pirate Niko, and now officially, you're first mate."

Sisters

After being dumped on the floor, Al struggled to regain his footing even as the queasiness returned. The boat ride here was the most horrible experience he'd had to bear in recent memory. It was a blessing in disguise though, and while he was quite sure he was going to pass out, it kept him from focusing on the jumbled noises that was even now vying for his attention.

For most of the trip, his sister ranted endlessly, insisting he call her Kei. Whenever he mustered the energy to refuse, she would make the boat move in slow circles, which intensified his motion sickness to an excruciating level of nausea that was hard to endure. She was, it seemed, completely taken by the shadow or perhaps she always had been and he had just refused to see it. Either way there was no turning back now.

As he stood wavering before his sister, a growing feeling of apprehension overtook him. He knew now how Delia had been taken, with Saimon was gone, whispered voices that had lingered since his time with the shadow, returned. He tried at first not to listen but it was becoming more difficult with each passing hour. He broke out in a cold sweat as he began remembering bits and snatches of things he'd done long ago that were, as far as he was concerned, best forgotten. Seeing Senkyoku encased in crystal he knew Delia could not help but hear those voices that must be raging in her head even now. His vision was still a little blurred and his stomach burned, but most of all he worried about Saimon. The voices claimed victory over him that he had been done in and would soon, also be imprisoned.

Still, he would not give in to her demands and she became very angry. He frowned and realized he could no longer be sure that even if she did need him he would survive the day. He watched as frustration filled her until she picked him up and threw him back against a wall with her imperfect magic. Unable or possibly unwilling to defend himself, he couldn't be sure which, he hardly slowed himself before the collision with the stones and he hit the wall hard.

The world grew dim as stars filled his eyes from the impact when he heard it again; that melody from a forgotten time. The strange music still lingered at the edge of his hearing and gave him some small hope that all would be well. He had no idea where it was coming from and didn't really care. It sounded so familiar that he forced himself to stay awake so he could listen. It made him feel oddly calm. He clung to that familiarity like a warm blanket, and wrapped himself in it as protection from whispered voices and his sister's madness. Sung with love for all, even an old fugitive like him. He smiled as the insane chatter was replaced with a pleasant memory, and unable to stay awake further, he slipped peacefully into unconsciousness.

Kei stared down at her brother in disgust kill him he hadn't even tried why? to stop that blow. he is a fool to resist Maybe she had overestimated him? he is weak Well perhaps she had been overhasty he will join us. She pushed at him it burns with her foot, he cannot resist better be more careful from now on though. If she damaged him too much,PAIN the whole reason for being here would be in doubt. do it She signaled to don't look at me! a pair of moblins PIGS on guard near the door, come closer they approached her warily, knowing any sudden moves might set her off. They lifted useless the unconscious form and removed him away from her presence.

Looking out a nearby window, she watched as the tide came in. It startled her to realize her thoughts were, for the first time in months, her own. Still watching the water she thought heard a melody. It was almost drown out by the constant chatter and miscellaneous sounds that were ever present in her mind. She strained to hear it ... I've died She knew she could no longer trust herself to tell what was real and what was not anymore. She sat on the sill and closed her eyes to better focus on the music. The song pulled her thoughts elsewhere, it was distracting enough that she even let the image she had built to be Kei, fade away. For the first time in a long time, sea green eyes looked out at ocean. Confused thoughts filled her head, but not like the ones that regularly tormented her. It was something else and without warning a voice, she'd not ever expected to hear again leapt from below the dimmed chaos. It was Senkyoku and the fairy was shouting to be heard ... Go on scream at me, it wont do you any good

... (No!) ... I've died...again ... (No! I will not let you go!) ... Falling ... (I know you can hear me!) ... scheming little deceiver ...(Wake up!) ... maybe... (Please... ) ... I'll wake up again... (I am still here, Delia do not let it break you again!) ... It's over ... (remember me-) AAUUUGGHHH! STOP TALKING!

A loud pounding on the door woke Aryll from a pleasant dream, she was a seagull, and she was flying free over the ocean. She sat up, rubbed the sleep from her eyes and feeling a little irritated she climbed out of bed and shuffled toward the door. Who could that be at this hour?' she thought. "Who's there?"

"Gonzo," came the muffled reply.

"Gonzo?" Aryll yanked the door open and looked him up and down. "You're safe."

"Yeah."

"That's it? Just yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Where have you been for the last three weeks?" she said stepping back to let him in. "Where's Tetra? Did you see Link?"

"Whoa, whoa slow down," he said as he came inside followed by Senza, Mako and Zuko, "I'll explain as well as I can but Miss Tetra's not with us and no, I haven't seen Link."

"No?"

He shook his head, "You'd better sit down this might be a little hard to believe."

"You're forgetting who my brother is... Nothing surprises me anymore."

"Right."

"Aryll?" she heard her grandmother say, "Who is that?"

"Just Gonzo, Grandma."

"Just Gonzo?" he said looking hurt, she laughed and took his hand and pulled him to the table. Once everyone was inside, she lit a small lamp.

"So tell us what you do know," she said sitting him down and gesturing for the others to find a place to sit.

"Aryll they must be hungry," her Grandmother said, "Come and help me."

"Alright." She got up and walked to the kitchen and started helping by filling some plates with cheese and fruit. "I can hear and slice cheese you know, start talking."

"Well," Gonzo said taking a sip from the mug of warm tea her Grandmother had handed him. "It all started the day after we left Greatfish... ", Gonzo talked well into the night with she and her Grandmother listening intently. Aryll or the other pirates only interrupted him a few times. When she had a question or they had something to add. "There was one other thing." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter Tetra had written for Link. "Miss Tetra asked me to give this to you. She wanted you to send it with Jake to take to Link."

Aryll took the letter. "Alright, he may do it."

"May?"

"Well sure, I gotta ask him first, he does have other things to do you know." Gonzo just stared at her. "Its nesting season, he's a busy father of two. Though the way Jasper keep disappearing he may not want to leave." He still just stared at her. "Never mind, I'll work something out." She shook her head and said, "So she just faded away?"

"Yeah."

"That must have been creepy."

"Not as frightening as the fact that she left me in charge of her ship." He looked a little stressed and added, "One of the longboats was missing as well as some gear..."

"No one's seen Niko since then either." Senza added.

"Niko?" Aryll thought back to her days on the pirate ship and smiled to think of all the tricks she had played on the little swabbie. "I wonder why she brought him along?" She stood up and paused. "Where do you think she went?" she asked and began to pick up the dishes. "I mean those longboats don't have sails, right?"

"No, but you could row out." Gonzo looked over at Senza, "What's the nearest island?"

"Headstone."

"Do you think she and Niko could row that far?" Aryll asked.

Gonzo shrugged. "I really don't know, but Miss Tetra never does anything without a reason."

"Even if they could make it that far," Senza put in, "what's there that could possibly help?"

They all looked at one another and Aryll deposited the dishes near the sink when her Grandmother said "Medli."

A Song of Reminiscence

As Link sat and looked out over the water, he wondered again about that wish. What could that golden-eyed man have possibly asked for that would stop a daemon? He sighed as he realized why he never saw King Nohanson before entering the basement of that sunken castle. The King of the Red Lions floated just off shore, he smiled to himself and inwardly wished the King's spirit still inhabited the boat. There were a few questions he would liked to have asked. Link had been promised answers all those years ago and when he looked back at the boat the carved Lion's eyes flashed...

Standing in the rain outside the fairy fountain, he hesitated for quite awhile before he went inside. Still it would be good to be out of the rain, his cloak had soaked through days ago. He took a deep breath and walked into the glade. One last task and he would be free forever.

Before nearing the small pond, he sat on the ground and emptied his pockets. Two dully glowing bottles, his staff, the ocarina and five pieces of parchment. Here lay all his worldly possessions. The cloak he cast aside and then retrieved the parchments one at a time, he opened each and stared at it. Four contained pictures drawn with the beauty and detail only a small child could achieve. The last, a letter and this he stared at the longest of all. He read the faded words written to remind him that each of the others had been given with the hope that he might return to them some day.

The trip to this ending had been a hard one, but would be worth it in the end. Being as careful as he could with the damp parchment, he refolded each and placed them in the pocket closest to his heart. After one last look around, he picked up the ocarina, closed his eyes and played the song that had brought him to this place for the first time so long ago. When he opened his eyes, the Fairy Queen looked back at him with a sad expression.

"You have found them."

"Yes," he said as he set aside the ocarina. "It was a long chase, but I finally caught up with them."

Picking up the bottles, he stood leaving the instrument and his staff behind. As he approached her, the rain that had been falling steadily for months, tapered off and he stood in the small patch of warm sunshine that surrounded her.

"In this task I almost hoped you would fail, for I do not wish to complete this process. Those you have returned are not worthy of a second chance."

"Everyone should get a second chance, even these two."

"You are far more generous than I," she said, "Show them to me."

She watched as he carefully he opened each bottle and set it on the ground. From each a small orange light emerged that immediately tried to fly off into the rain. Finding themselves trapped by a wall of light, they flew up and down trying to find a way out.

"Kage and Kageri, you will not be able to break through the barrier I have set, the time for you atonement has come."

The light of fairies known as the tekuragari dimmed slightly and returned to her for they could not wholly ignore her call.

"For your part in the corruption of the Hylian children known as Dalkin and Delia you are to found to be unworthy and your life essence will be taken from you." The tekuragari seemed to shiver and their glow diminished further. "Know also that by the grace of a very forgiving soul, a second chance is here by granted. This will be the last opportunity you will receive to redeem yourselves and there by escape your fated destruction." Venus lifted her hands to them and they floated closer. "Before then, the taint of the shadow must be removed, for I will not allow you to return to the world outside until you have been cleansed of his touch." As she said this a sphere sparkling with iridescent fairy magic surrounded them. The Fairy Queen looked away from the ball of light in front of her and said to the man, "Are you still willing?"

"I am," he whispered.

"You must know if I do this, they will not remember you."

He stared blankly for a moment as he put his hands over the pictures and letter in his pocket and said quietly, "I guessed as much." He started out firm, but his voice cracked anyway. "I only took up the chase when it became clear, the shadow was trying to get them back. My continued existence in this world has always been a source of strength for my fallen brother and in some ways making all of this possible. That needs to end and I will rest easier knowing that they will be safe. And by keeping them safe, all of Hyrule will have a chance."

"But what of your own?"

"My own?" he asked a little confused then he smiled and thought of his children. "They are all my children now. Though, if it isn't too much to ask, can word be sent to my wife...?"

Venus nodded and said, "It shall be done as you have asked," she turned her attention back to the sphere floating in front of her. "My fallen children, your crimes are many and you should count yourselves blessed to have this man's intercession, for your redemption will cost him much." With a twist of her hand, the intensity of the light that encased them brightened one hundred fold. Tiny muffled screams could be heard from within, but the Fairy Queen was unmoved and said in a flat voice, "It is time. Do you still wish this?" He did not hesitate but only nodded in reply so she said, "Step forward and place your hands into the light, do not be afraid. All will be well."

With a slow determined nod, he placed his hands into the glowing sphere. He picked up the now still forms and the light within the sphere began its slow journey up his arms. He gritted his teeth and reminded himself, this was for the best, they would be safe and ignored the growing pain. As the light consumed him, he looked up one last time. The Fairy Queen's anger with her children was all he saw. His golden eyes shown brightly in that light. Venus glanced up to him and she noted he still held that gentle smile. The Fairy Queen brought her eyes to his and he said with his final breath, "Remember me and forgive them."

The light flared, consuming him and pulled itself back to the fairies. Venus released the pair from the light and they floated unconscious as if on a gentle breeze. She studied the pair for a long time. Eventually they stirred and Venus said, "From this day forward you will no longer carry the names of Kage and Kageri, and will be known instead as Saimon and Senkyoku. You are now the guardian spirits of Dalkin and Delia and you will remain with them for as long as necessary to shield them from the shadow's call."

The fairies glows intensified and both flew away then, headed for their intended charges. The Fairy Queen watched them make their way out over the rainy landscape and felt herself diminish. She'd expended a great deal of magic and it would be a long time indeed before she would again be able to appear in her adult form. Of course there was also the matter of her promised intercession on that man's behalf. The Goddesses would not be pleased. No matter, she thought, she would sleep. She had earned her rest for now.

Collecting the few items left behind by the man, Venus, Queen of the Fairy kind shed a tear of sadness at his passing. She held them close and did in fact remember him, for his spirit was still within her glade. So it was, that the remnants of a good man's life became the heart of the fairy that would one day be known as Nagori.

The Fairy Queen sealed Nagori's heart within herself and drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Outside her glade, the rain however steady before, became a torrent as the skies opened up and the tears of the Goddesses fell unrestrained upon the land.

On a mountaintop far away, a woman was startled her from her sleep. Thoughts of her husband had come to her so vividly she was sure he was there with her. After a moment, she realized she knew his true fate. She looked at their still sleeping children as she rose from her bed, and crossed the room. She cried silent tears as she looked out the rain-streaked window, for she also knew it would never be known; how for the safety of all, the last guardian spirit left in the land, had been lost.

With a start Link opened his eyes and looked over at the boat as he said, "What the hell was that?" He was not particularly fond of dreams with extra meanings tied to them. Link remembered the boats flashing eyes and thought, Ask a simple question... He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Still a little on edge he got up and walked into the shallows. Link touched the carved Lion's head of his boat and said, "I know your spirit is restless... I never got to thank you for all your help... "

Over the sound of the waves, Link heard a strange melody that called gently to him. He closed his eyes and listened, the melody was not totally unfamiliar to him. His father had played it, or a variation of it, often to help console him and his sister after their mother's death. His last memories of her came up to him and help calm the unease. No wonder Saimon hadn't told him everything. He glanced over at the still unmoving fairy atop his pack.

As Link watched, the fairy once again began to glow with that inner light only fairies seemed to generate until he could no longer be seen through its brightness. Saimon flew to him and hung in the air in front of him. Together they listened and heard the music as it slipped across the waves.

"That is the song," Saimon said after a time. "You must learn that song if we are to free Dalkin and Delia from the shadow once and for all."

The loud squawk of an angry seagull pulled Link's attention away from the sad music. He looked up and saw Jake spiraling down toward him in the early morning light. The gull dropped a small package on the beach and immediately flew off. Link walked out of the shallows and sat down to open it, He noticed it was his Grandma's handwriting on the front. Inside were some clean clothes and three letters. One from Aryll, one from Orca and the last one almost made his heart stop. How had Tetra managed to get another letter to him? When he thought about it, it really didn't matter much, and he picked through the clothes his Grandmother sent. Everything was the usual except she included a hat with a small note inside.

Link, just in case you have a friend in need of a place to stay. Love Grandma

That meant she knew about Saimon all along. Which meant she had recognized Al. Which meant his list of questions for her was starting to get really long. Link put the hat on his head tucking his ponytail inside as he decided he would wait for the sun to finish rising before even thinking about opening any of the letters.

Tetra and Niko rowed steadily most of the day and the sun was sinking lower on the horizon. Rain clouds rolled in, dark and ominous threatening to burst at any moment. "Well Niko," Tetra said as she pulled at the oar. "Ready for the rain?"

"Yes, Miss."

"Good, cause here it comes."

It pelted them for hours, and Tetra thanked the goddesses there was little wind and they kept on rowing. Eventually it tapered off and Tetra called a halt. They ate from their rations and Niko's exhausted expression made her think he might just pass out, but instead, he pulled the list out of his boot, read through it quickly and put it away.

"We're still good then?"

"Yes, Miss."

"Can you say anything other than 'Yes Miss'?"

"Yes, Miss," Niko stopped looking a little confused, "I mean…"

Tetra smiled at him and looked at the clearing sky. "Don't worry about it Niko," she said pulling out her sextant and a small compass. After she checked their position she adjusted the their direction slightly. "Hopefully only ten more miles. Ready?" he nodded, "Good."

Together they pulled at the oars and when Headstone came into view, they stopped again. Niko pulled out some sea rations and checked his list again. Tetra glanced up at the moon it shone bright in the night sky and told her she had at least another two and a half, maybe three hours until sunrise. What worried her was if she calculated correctly at some point the time loop would reset itself. They needed to be out of the water and in the Earth Temple by then. Facing an octo in this boat would definitely not work out well. She was pulled out of her thoughts when Niko asked, "Miss Tetra?"

"Yeah?"

"What if this doesn't work?"

"If it doesn't," Tetra said looking over at him. "You and the others will just have to muddle through without me."

"But you're the Princess."

Tetra stretched as she said, "You know, Niko, a few days ago I would have tossed you off the ship for that."

"I'm sorry Miss."

"Don't be. Truth is, if I hadn't been trying so hard to avoid that title, we wouldn't be in this situation."

Niko nodded and was quiet for a time. "Miss? What about Link?"

Tetra suppressed a growl and wondered, Why does it always come back to him? To Niko she said, "What about him."

He blushed and said "Umm, don't you miss him?"

Tetra looked up at the stars and said, "Yeah, strangely a lot more than I thought I would. Why are you asking?"

Niko stretched his legs and rubbed his sore arms and said, "It's nothing really, before he left the ship that day, he almost ran me down on his way out and something he said when he was helping me up sort of stuck in my head."

"Really? What would that be?"

"Well, uhh, you see he said-"

"You brought it up so just spill it already."

Startled Niko said in a rush, "He wanted to know why in Farore's name he thought it would be a good idea for him to fall for a revenge obsessed pirate without the sense the Deku Tree gave a Korok."

Tetra smiled while she imagined the scene in her head. "Korok huh?"

"Uh, yes Miss."

Tetra laughed at his obvious relief, he also decided to change the subject and said, "Do you think Gonzo is okay?"

"I'm sure he'll do fine, he is my brother after all."

"He's your brother?"

"Yes, but don't say anything to the others, I don't know if he knows about all that."

"Yes, Miss."

"It'll work out Niko," Tetra said as she shifted back to her rowing position. "Let's get moving, I want to hit the beach before daybreak."

"Right, let me check the list." he pulled out and scanned it again, his eyes went wide, "Miss Tetra! The last thing dropped off the list!"

"Crap!" she said as he scrambled back to his place. "Put your back into it Niko we're running out of time."

Deep within the Earth Temple, an unexpected chill came over the Sage of Earth and Medli paused as she walked back toward the room she used for living quarters. After it passed, she noticed a strange and weirdly familiar song filtering in from…well, somewhere. She stilled and listened for a moment or two. She pulled the harp from her back, and began to pluck out the notes. As she did images of her home on Dragonroost filled her head, all of them things she'd not thought about for quite some time. The weirdest part was when she finished it left her feeling oddly calm.

Medli played the song again and realized, like the Earth God Lyric, this was a Song of Power, but where was it coming from? While it made her a little nervous, she decided it would be best if she practiced it. Songs like that didn't just pop into your head for no good reason. She headed back to the inner chamber and sat down in the sand and played it a few more times, the Triforce symbol there glowed even more brightly. Yes, she thought, I will definitely have to investigate this further.

Makar along with the rest of the diminutive Korok sat high within the branches of the Great Deku Tree. This was Makar most favorite place to be, for it was here that he always felt safest. His duties at the Wind Temple could sometimes leave him feeling homesick, so it was with great anticipation he'd come home to the forest haven for the New Year's celebration. He watched as his fellow Koroks made the necessary preparations.

Koroks were unlike any other creature the great sea. Each appeared to be no more than a hollowed out stick of varying shape and length, none ever appeared taller than a young child. Their faces shaped from the leaves of the different specie of tree that once filled the great forests of Hyrule. Makar's own leaf was in the appearance of a deku leaf; heart shaped with small holes for his eyes and mouth. Because Makar was ever curious the Great Deku, Guardian of the Forests and father of all the forest spirits explained to him why Fado, the late Forest Sage appeared as a child and not as Makar did.

Before the rains came and flooded Hyrule, the Great Deku collected the then child like Kokiri and embarked on an epic journey. Epic because as a rooted thing, it took the great tree a long time to climb the mountain near his forest. Even after the rains came, the tree moved forward up the mountain and upon reaching it crest, he released the forest spirits back into the world. Their long 'sleep' had changed them into the shapes they held to this day. Their guiding fairies had become a part of them and the ability of his children to use his leaves and twigs to fly manifested. Though they often still acted and thought as a ten-year-old child, the experience had changed them.

Makar looked at his violin and bow. Both were normal sized and towered over him, but he never had trouble finding the notes he needed when he found a new song. As he did every year Makar made up a new song. When all was ready and it was time, the song he had prepared wasn't the song he played. Instead, a soft melody came from his violin that made even the Great Deku Tree look at him in surprise.

When the other korok flew away with their seeds, the Great Tree asked, "Makar, Where did you learn that song?"

"I'm not sure, it just seemed to play itself."

"The song you played is one I have not heard for many years and did not remember it until I heard it again," the tree paused listening, "Yes, even now I can hear it."

"Where do you think it's coming from?"

"I do not know the winds in this area are very fickle."

"But who could be playing it?"

"Again, I do not have an answer for you, but to me it sounds more like someone singing than playing an instrument."

"Singing?"

"Yes."

Makar listened closer as the notes floated through the Forest Haven and tried the song out again. After a few tries he decided he knew it well enough to be able to play it without hearing it again. "I wonder what it's trying to get us to remember?"

"It may not be a thing at all, ut perhaps a person. Much knowledge had been lost since the flooding of the land." the Great Tree said and smiled at him. "Perhaps it is best if you set out for the Wind Temple this evening."

"Alright," he said, "do you think I should practice it?"

"Yes, this song is one you should learn well. It is the Song of Reminiscence."

"Reminiscence?"

"A song of power from a forgotten time, it allows a listener to recover memories lost or confused by time or magic."

"I will do my best Great Deku Tree."

"You have never done less little one."

Link picked the first letter in the pile. It was Tetra's and she wrote very clearly on the envelope:

LINK, DON'T OPEN THIS FOR AT LEAST
24 HOURS AFTER YOU GET IT.

He almost opened just to spite her, but thought better of it and Link shoved it in his pocket to help him resist the urge to do so. He picked up Aryll's letter next; sealed with a wax impression of a seagull he smiled and opened it.

Hoy Big Brother!

I sure hope Jake finds you and Al in a hurry. Gonzo's and the others are
here, but Tetra and Niko are still missing (You're never gonna believe
how they got the ship in the cave!) Senza thinks they all got trapped
because when Tetra's mother died they swore and oath to stay with her.
Anyway, she resigned as Captain and turned the ship over to Gonzo.
They figure Niko is the only member of the crew still with her but
they're not sure why.

Anyway they wanted me to tell you she still has your bow and a few
other things were missing. She took one of the longboats and the
Grandma think she maybe headed for Headstone. Though I'm not
sure if it'll do any good cause they were all on the ship when you
first found it, and if you couldn't see them then how is Medli going
to? Well, back to the news, the parchments enclosed are the ones
from Tetra's cabin Gonzo says he can't read them but figures you
may be able to.

Be careful,

Love Aryll

P.S. Gonzo says I should tell you that Tetra was in the cabin with you
when Al first showed up, but says no one saw him arrive, and she
disappeared a little while after that.

Link unfolded the parchments and looked at the carefully written words, that's a lot of information to stuff into such a small space he thought. It'll take me weeks to decipher all of this, he thought. Saimon flew over and settled on top of Link's newly acquired hat, "Hey! That's really old, where did you get it?"

"Gonzo sent it."

"The pirate?"

"Yes he and the others are on Outset."

"With the Princess?" he glowed a bright green color. "We should go there."

"No Saimon, Tetra's not with them," he said still looking at the parchment, "Can you read this?"

Saimon floated over the writing. "Yes."

"Any chance you could do it out loud?"

"Is that necessary?"

Link was starting to understand why Al always seemed to be fighting with him. "It would be helpful."

"Okay!"

It is said, having appeared by crossing time this person was called the Hero of Time,
and became a legend in the kingdom. A time later, the kingdom that had been thought
to have had its peace returned, again, had dark clouds standing over it.

Saimon stopped reading and flew up into his hat. Link sighed, he could tell there was more information on the page and said "Saimon, you know how I found out about the tekuragari and I'm guessing but did your name used to be Kage?"

Saimon popped out of the hat and hung in the air "How can you know this?"

"That is a strange story all by itself."

"The Fairy Queen told you?"

"No Saimon, but sometimes the goddesses have strange ways of getting information to me, or maybe it was the King of Red Lions, he promised me information once." the fairy did not reply, "Yeah I know it's weird and I don't understand all of it yet, but these parchments might help. Anyway, will you finish this page?"

"Yes."

The one who held the evil power, who had been thought to have been sealed
forever by the efforts of the hero, revived with no reason.

Link pulled out the other parchment and Saimon continued reading.

Though the people waited eagerly for the hero of the Legend to once again appear,
the hero had put the country behind him, and journeyed into the flows of time,
and never appeared.

But he did come back, but know one remembered it, except possibly the Fairy Queen.

With no one to protect them, evil began to draw near even the royal palace.
The people, finally entrusted the fates of the entire land into the hands of the gods.

Once finished Saimon seemed to lose some of his brightness, so he ducked back out of sight in his hat. Link had been mulling over his choices since the night before and knew that if he went to Mother and Child Island there was no guarantee that the Fairy Queen would appear or even acknowledge his presence. It was odd to him though that Jabun hadn't mentioned what Saimon said regarding the Gods of Water, Wind and Air. Someone took Al's memories from him, but Link doubted it was any of those deities. Something about all of it just wasn't quite right. He also hoped he would have enough time to worry about that later. He picked up the last letter from Orca.

Link,

Flight of Gulls:
assume structure
intercept and destroy
face
stop
adjust
chase
break

and never underestimate the power of a well-balanced stick.

Orca

Orca was obviously trying to tell him something specific, but why not attack? He thought about the things he had recently learned and about what Orca was trying to tell him. He's probably been talking to his Grandma and wanted to remind him of the basic forms. Link decided the long and short of that was sometimes the best offense was a better defense and if Orca had taken the time to write out that list of reminders…Link stood up, closed his eyes and dredged up the Flight of Gulls form he had learned when he was small.

One hand out and ready, the other ready to defend. Looking at his arms he realized he was out of position and pulled in his defending elbow remembering the times Orca had caught them sticking out. Shoulders, hips and feet set but not stuck. Size up your opponent and look for queues but do not look at their face. Counter or interfere with blows but do not attack. Move closer as needed to throw an opponent off balance, disarm or disable.

Link worked through a series of blocking techniques, though this was a little difficult without an opponent. Each time he repeated the form it got a little easier to repeat the steps. Now what was that about a stick? Link smiled and thought well it ought to be interesting anyway.